Bangabandhu 23rd NCL kicks off

The 23rd edition of National Cricket League (NCL) rolled on to the ground today, Sunday (October 17) at different venues across the country.

Seven cricketers inaugurated the ground no 2 of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, ringing a giant bell and afterwards, the NCL kicked off on the ground of the cricket stadium.

Walton, the country’s leading electronics, electrical, automobile and telecommunication products manufacturing and marketing company, became the title sponsor of the National Cricket League. With this, Walton has become the title sponsor of the league for 11 consecutive times.

The official name of the NCL is ‘Bangabandhu National Cricket League, sponsored by Walton.’

This is the first cricket tournament in the country after the deadly second wave of the coronavirus. Earlier, the NCL was halted after two rounds but the league rolled on to the ground afresh.

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Md Khalilur Rahman and Senior Deputy Operative Director of sponsor Walton Milton Ahmed inaugurated the tournament at the newly-built ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday morning.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel and Sylhet District Sports Association General Secretary Mahi Uddin Selim were present during the inaugural ceremony.

A total of eight teams-seven divisions and Dhaka Metro, are divided into two Tiers as per their standings in the last league. The Tiger-1 consists with defending champions Khulna Division, Dhaka, Rangpur and Sylhet while the Tier-2 involves Chattogram, Rajshahi, Dhaka Metro and Barishal.

In round 1, Dhaka is taking on Sylhet at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium’s academy ground while Khulna face off Rangpur at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Chattogram is locking horns with Rajshahi at their home venue Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium while Dhaka Metro is battling for a victory against Barishal at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium’s academy ground in Cox’s Bazar.