BCB mulls allowing foreign players in NCL again

BANGLADESH CRICKET

The NCL is scheduled from October 15 to November 30 [File photo] © Getty

In a bid to increase the competitiveness in the National Cricket League (NCL) – the country’s traditional first-class tournament – the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is considering the prospect of allowing one foreign player in every NCL team.

The NCL is scheduled from October 15 to November 30.

Earlier, the BCB had a provision that helped NCL teams find foreign cricketers and it was said to be very encouraging in the development of local talent for the longer-format.

“We are planning to get approval from the board that will allow NCL team to include foreign players in their squad like we had in the past which is not the case for quite some time,” a BCB official working closely with the development told Cricbuzz on Sunday .

“I think it will help the league to be more competitive and at present we prepare grassy wickets during the NCL and in that case if we have a fast bowler (foreign) in the team, he will only be helpful as the (local) cricketers will be having a chance to hone their skill set facing them on those wickets for substantial amount of period,” he said adding that their biggest challenge now lies in the availability of the foreign cricketers as some other countries also play first-class cricket during the same period.

“Player availability is an issue as the Ranji Trophy or Quaid-e-Azam Trophy goes on at the same time and so we might have to look for other countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, BCB Head of Program Minhajul Abedin said that they are eyeing to start the season with NCL T20, scheduled from September 14 to October 4.

“Last year we hosted the tournament in one venue since we didn’t have that much time. We have chosen three grounds for the tournament and it will be played in those three venues,” said Minhajul.

It was learnt BCB is also planning to hold the Bangladesh Cricket League, franchise-based tournament in the 50-over format, from December 4-10 while the BCL four-day competition will begin right after the BPL, in February.

A BCB source insisted that it is almost certain that they are bringing in a foreign team for the BCL.

“Probably from Afghanistan – their A team or high performance team,” the source said.

© Cricbuzz