Six divisions -- Dhaka, Chitta-gong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal -- will feature in the only first-class competition of the domestic calendar. The home and away basis event comprises a four-day match followed by a limited-overs game.

Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mahmud will lead a star-studded Dhaka against an unheralded Barisal at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. Former national left-arm paceman Anisur Rahman will head a depleted southern division, which has so for failed to make an impression in the previous four editions.

Country's top batsman Habibul Bashar will skipper holders of four-day version Khulna, who emerged as the surprise force last year. They will take on Sylhet in another opening day fixture at the Sylhet Stadium.

Former national captain Akram Khan will lead Chittagong against national wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud's Rajshahi at the Comilla Stadium.

Sylhet was yet to name a captain but one thing is certain that talented batsmen Alok Kapali will not be able to play a part for the city of saints. Kapali is nursing a minor shoulder injury.

Besides, Rajin Saleh, another sensational find from Sylhet, will not be available for the home side. The right-hander will fly to Karachi on Thursday with the Bangladesh A team to play in the inter-depart-mental competition in Pakistan.

Although a number of national cricketers will miss the National League due to Bangladesh A team's commitments in Pakistan, the competition has already generated a lot of interest. The selectors have promised to keep track of it as part of their selection process for the Zimbabwe tour.

The Tigers will fly to Zimbabwe in February to play two Tests and five one-day internationals.

The Board this year added a new clause in the bylaws to stop frequent change of allegiance by the cricketers. According to the new qualification rules a player either born or settled in a particular division (staying for at least 180 days a year) would be eligible to play for that division.

Dhaka is the biggest gainer of the new rule while Barisal suffered most as their plan to rope in Sanwar Hossain and Bashar was not fulfilled.

Chittagong however are facing a different kind of problem in their bid to regain the title as they are destined to miss the services of three promising players.

After his mysterious departure from the national Under-19 camp, top-order batsman Aftab Ahmed also decided against playing for his home team.

Besides, Under-19 coach Richard McInnes was reportedly unwilling to let his captain Nafees Iqbal and Nazimuddin play in the League.

"I'm not sure what's going on with the under-19 players. If I'm not mistaken the Board decided that they would be made available to play in the League. But Nafees and Nazimuddin were yet to get permission from McInnes. This is unfortunate because we were hoping to see those two young prospects," said Chittagong captain Akram.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is also taking the National League seriously this year after two successive disappointing seasons.

The tournament committee of the Board however is making a desperate effort to start it on the right foot after the hassle regarding the formation of new bylaws.

"The cricket committee appro-ved the new bylaws only a couple of days back that's why we could not confirm the roster of the six participating teams. But apart from that everything else is in place," said tournament committee chairman Shah Nurul Kabir Shaheen at a press briefing yesterday.

Shaheen hoped that the wickets would be of a higher standard this time round.

"But don't blame me if things go wrong since it was purely the job of the grounds committee. They have informed us that the wicket would be better this year than previous editions," he added.

Also a BCB advisor Shaheen said that he was still confident of convincing the Board to provide 15 cricketers of each team with Taka 15,000 as incentive.

"The Board allocated Taka 5 lakh as incentive for players but I'm still trying to get another Tk 13 lakh to fulfil our pledge to each division," he said.

He hoped that the League would be complete within 65 days.

Replying to a query the BNP lawmaker from Mymensingh said that the League's budget has been fixed for Taka one crore 13 lakh and 32 thousand.

A team will get six points for an outright victory and four points if a team takes a first-innings lead in a drawn match. The team conceding a first innings lead in a draw will get two points. If a match ends in a tie or is washed out, each team will get three points.

Member secretary of tournament committee Adnan Rahman Dipon, sales manager of MM Ispahani Ltd MA Khan and product manager SM Shawkat Hossain were also present at the briefing held at the Conference Room of the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Ispahani, which has been sponsoring the League for the last three years, is paying double the amount they paid last year. They have agreed to spend a sum of 30 lakh Taka for the title sponsorship rights this year.

FIRST ROUND FIXTURES

Dec 10-13, 14: Khulna v Sylhet (Sylhet Stadium)
Dhaka v Barisal (Dhaka)
Chittagong v Rajshahi (Comilla Stadium)

Dec 18-21, 22: Barisal v Khulna (Jessore Stadium)
Dhaka v Chittagong (Dhaka)
Sylhet v Rajshahi (Cricket Garden, Rangpur)

Dec 26-29, 30: Khulna v Chittagong (Comilla Stadium)
Dhaka v Sylhet (Sylhet Stadium)
Rajshahi v Barisal (Barisal)

Dec 3-6, 7: Khulna v Dhaka (Dhaka)
Barisal v Chittagong (Barisal Stadium)

Dec 10-13, 14: Rajshahi v Khulna (Jessore Stadium)
Chittagong v Sylhet (Comilla Stadium)

Dec 18-21, 22: Dhaka v Rajshahi (Cricket Garden, Rangpur)
Sylhet v Barisal (Sylhet Stadium)