NCL to begin on Oct 19 with skippers' optimistic
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League (NCL) begins in the country on October 19 with the captains of divisional teams optimistic of putting up the best, reports UNB.
Khaled Mashud Pilot, skipper of Rajshahi Divisional team, Rajin Saleh of Sylhet Divisional team, Ehsanul Haque Shezan of Chittagong Divisional team and Shahriar Nafees of Barisal Divisional team were speaking at a press conference in the city Monday.
Rajin Saleh said, "I am of course satisfied with my team as it is a balanced side with young and talented players. We look forward to giving a champion fight in both the four-day and one-day versions."
Chittagong Division skipper Shezan thought that his side will have the advantage of having a couple of promising national, academy and U-19 players like Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin, Aftab Ahmed, Dhiman Ghose, Gazi Salahuddin and Sabbir Khan.
Replying to a query Shezan admitted that his side has some problem in the fast bowling department and hoped that pacers Tareq Aziz Khan and Ashiqur Rahman will do the job.
Former national skipper Khaled Mashud Pilot seemed confident. "I am very confident with my team. Rajshahi Division has been performing well in the recent years and this time we have a nice combination and good team spirit."
Pilot told a questioner that the four-day matches ahead of the Bangladesh's tour to New Zealand in December would help the players a great deal. He emphasised to play on bouncy and grassy wicket considering the wicket in New Zealand.
Barisal Divisional team skipper Shahriar Nafees thought that his side will have the better chance to do well in the one-day matches because of the presence of younger players.
"We have some players now representing the Academy and U-19 squad, who have the strive to play in the national side. I think we will not do bad although we have only two national players."
Dhaka Divisional team captain Ashraful and Khulna Divisional team captain Habibul Bashar were not present at the press conference.
As per NCL fixture (1st round, match 1), champions Dhaka Division will face Khulna Division at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Barisal Division will take on Chittagong Division at the Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogra while Rajshahi Division will play against Sylhet Division at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.
The same sides will face each other in the (1st round, match 1) one-day matches scheduled for October 23. The rest of the four-day matches will be followed by one-dayers.
The first phase of the National Cricket League will continue till November 20. The second phase will begin on November 23 after a two-day recess and conclude on December 31.
The NCL matches will be played at seven venues - Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Bogra Shahid Chandu Stadium, Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Chittagong Bir Shrestho Shahood Ruhul Amin Stadium, Khulna Bir Shrestho Motiur Rahman Stadium and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) at Savar.
Khaled Mashud Pilot, skipper of Rajshahi Divisional team, Rajin Saleh of Sylhet Divisional team, Ehsanul Haque Shezan of Chittagong Divisional team and Shahriar Nafees of Barisal Divisional team were speaking at a press conference in the city Monday.
Rajin Saleh said, "I am of course satisfied with my team as it is a balanced side with young and talented players. We look forward to giving a champion fight in both the four-day and one-day versions."
Chittagong Division skipper Shezan thought that his side will have the advantage of having a couple of promising national, academy and U-19 players like Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin, Aftab Ahmed, Dhiman Ghose, Gazi Salahuddin and Sabbir Khan.
Replying to a query Shezan admitted that his side has some problem in the fast bowling department and hoped that pacers Tareq Aziz Khan and Ashiqur Rahman will do the job.
Former national skipper Khaled Mashud Pilot seemed confident. "I am very confident with my team. Rajshahi Division has been performing well in the recent years and this time we have a nice combination and good team spirit."
Pilot told a questioner that the four-day matches ahead of the Bangladesh's tour to New Zealand in December would help the players a great deal. He emphasised to play on bouncy and grassy wicket considering the wicket in New Zealand.
Barisal Divisional team skipper Shahriar Nafees thought that his side will have the better chance to do well in the one-day matches because of the presence of younger players.
"We have some players now representing the Academy and U-19 squad, who have the strive to play in the national side. I think we will not do bad although we have only two national players."
Dhaka Divisional team captain Ashraful and Khulna Divisional team captain Habibul Bashar were not present at the press conference.
As per NCL fixture (1st round, match 1), champions Dhaka Division will face Khulna Division at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Barisal Division will take on Chittagong Division at the Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogra while Rajshahi Division will play against Sylhet Division at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.
The same sides will face each other in the (1st round, match 1) one-day matches scheduled for October 23. The rest of the four-day matches will be followed by one-dayers.
The first phase of the National Cricket League will continue till November 20. The second phase will begin on November 23 after a two-day recess and conclude on December 31.
The NCL matches will be played at seven venues - Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium, Bogra Shahid Chandu Stadium, Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Chittagong Bir Shrestho Shahood Ruhul Amin Stadium, Khulna Bir Shrestho Motiur Rahman Stadium and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) at Savar.