The upcoming National Cricket League T20, scheduled to begin on 14th September, appears to be on the cusp of a significant shift in its role within the domestic calendar.
While its immediate success as a spectacle may be hampered by the absence of national team players, its strategic repositioning is arguably a masterstroke that will cement its value for years to come.
According to Akram Khan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Tournament Committee Chairman, a key decision has been to move the tournament forward from its previous December slot to September. This crucial move places the NCL T20 directly before the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) player draft, a change that was long requested by cricket stakeholders. By creating a clear parallel with India’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before the IPL auction, the NCL now serves as a vital showcase for local talent, allowing BPL franchise owners to assess performances and make informed decisions at the auction table.
This forward-thinking scheduling is perhaps the strongest indicator that the tournament is set up for long-term success in its primary goal: developing homegrown T20 cricketers.
Further strengthening this view is the significant increase in match fees, which have been raised to BDT 40,000. This financial incentive, a substantial boost from the previous BDT 25-30,000, will no doubt motivate players and elevate the professional standards of the competition. Additionally, the launch of a new Regional T20 tournament in Chattogram just before the NCL highlights a broader, positive push from the board to foster T20 cricket at the grassroots level, creating a healthier pipeline of talent.
However, the path to success is not without its hurdles. The biggest immediate drawback is the direct clash with the Asia Cup schedule. As a result, the NCL will proceed without the country’s biggest stars, a fact that Akram Khan acknowledges, stating they cannot simply wait for the national team players.
This will almost certainly diminish the tournament’s appeal to the general public and may impact media interest, making its success harder to measure purely in terms of viewership.
There are also logistical concerns, such as the lack of floodlights in Rajshahi, which will confine all fixtures to daytime.
Moreover, the revelations concerning the Barisal team—including alleged player conflicts and death threats—raise serious questions about discipline and oversight at the grassroots level. While Akram Khan has issued a "stern warning," such deep-seated issues could undermine the integrity of the competition if not addressed with more concrete action.
In conclusion, while the NCL T20 may not be a box-office hit this year due to the absence of the national side, its value should be measured differently. By strategically moving the tournament to create a crucial pre-draft scouting platform and by offering enhanced incentives to players, the BCB has laid the groundwork for it to become a fundamental pillar of domestic cricket. Ultimately, the success of this NCL T20 will not be judged by its viewership numbers but by the quality of local talent it unearths for the BPL and, eventually, for the national team.
