BCL set to get underway from today
The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) is set to commence today with the two Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)-run teams North Zone and South Zone locking horns at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram while Walton Central Zone and Islami Bank East Zone are set to face each other at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
The BCB had earlier decided to cut the red-ball tournament short this time, running it in a single league format to create a window for the upcoming 2019-2020 Dhaka Premier League.
The only franchise-based first-class tournament of the country was arranged in a hurry this time with the players’ draft completed on January 27, four days prior to the start of the tournament. East Zone skipper Mominul Haque reiterated that the BCL matches were good preparation for the Pakistan Tests.
While Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to confirm whether Mominul will captain the side for the upcoming Test in Pakistan, it could be ascertained from the left-handed batsman’s words that the matter is likely a formality.
“I think playing in the BCL will help us prepare [for Pakistan tour] better. As a captain I will be able to observe how others play, their approach and attitude. It is a very good opportunity.
“I think playing matches is very important. It helps you more than usual practice sessions. If you practice all year but do not play any matches then it won’t be useful,” said Mominul yesterday.
Mominul, was announced as the stand-in skipper for the Test series in India last year after then Test and T20 skipper Shakib Al Hasan was banned from all forms of cricket by the ICC for two years with one of those suspended.
East Zone will have to play the first round without opener Imrul Kayes, who has been suffering from hamstring injury. The left-hander will be unavailable till mid-February according to BCB chief physician Dr. Debashish Chowdhury.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz, playing for Central Zone will also be missing the first round and Debashish mentioned that the all-rounder will be assessed separately on Saturday for his finger injury.
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