BCL begins with hopes of increased competitiveness

The ninth edition of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) begins today with hopes of achieving a level of competitiveness that has been missing from the domestic arena over the years.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) previously mentioned that it has certain plans to ensure grassy tops and bouncy tracks at all venues for the league, and to make 'four-day cricket attractive again in the country' as far as players are concerned.

However, this edition of the BCL will not feature national Test team's players as Mominul Haque and Co are already touring New Zealand for a two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on January 1 next year.

Unfortunately, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, who got ruled out of the New Zealand tour after missing the entire series against Pakistan due to a thumb injury, would only be able to participate in the one-day format of the league once the four-dayers end.

"Still nothing is certain. I will just start gripping the bat after the 20th of this month. If I can do that, I have the eagerness to play a few matches when the one-day format matches in the league begins. But that too depends on the medical team's clearance," Tamim told The Daily Star yesterday.

The usual four-day matches will be played first in a single-league format with the top two sides playing in a five-day final, scheduled to begin on January 2 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. 

The opening day of the league will see BCB South Zone taking on Islami Bank East Zone at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi while Walton Central Zone will lock horns with BCB North Zone at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.