Chief selector urges Bangladesh cricketers to play in NCL

Ahead of entering into the World Test Championship through the Test series against India, Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar urged national team cricketers to make themselves available in the forthcoming National Cricket League (NCL).

Bashar further said those who are willing to be selected for the Test squad, will have to play in the first two rounds of the domestic competition starting from October 1.

“Without any valid reason, no one will be allowed to skip NCL. Suppose, someone has hamstring injury or broke a finger, then it is something for consideration but without these reasons we will not entertain other explanation as everyone will have to play the NCL,”

Bashar said.

This has enforced senior cricketers like Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad playing in the first-class tournament after four years.

“The national cricketers need to make the best use of NCL as it will provide them with an opportunity to spend some time in the middle and they must make that into a habit, as we have seen some of our leading batsmen were unable to do it against Afghanistan,” Bashar further added.

Bangladesh recently suffered an embarrassing 224-run loss against Afghanistan in the one-off Test at home.

Meanwhile, Akram Khan, chairman of Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations, said Daniel Vettori will be available for eleven days as the bowling consultant.

“We will start our preparation camp for the upcoming India series from October 25 and Vettori will be available from the start of the camp as he is coming before that,” Akram told in this regard.