Nine tournaments in eight months

The Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) Tournament Committee is facing a grueling eight-month, nine-tournament marathon, with the packed calendar also including two special matches to mark Victory Day and Independence Day, confirmed by tournament committee chairman Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir.

The Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) is being replaced by the Bangladesh First Four-Day competition, while the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 will be renamed Bangladesh First T20, and BCL One-Day will become Bangladesh First One-Day.

The Tournament Committee has also finalised plans to offer the three competitions as part of an ownership package.

Sirajuddin told Daily Sun on Saturday the three-day competition could serve as a pathway to the NCL.

"Many talented cricketers from Dhaka First Division and Second Division do not get the opportunity to play in the NCL. This league could be a stepping stone for them to reach the NCL," the tournament committee chair mentioned.

Among the new additions is the Minor National League (MCL), designed to provide a platform for talented and emerging cricketers who miss out on opportunities in the National Cricket League.

However, the MCL will not have first-class status and is expected to be completed within a budget of Tk5cr. Despite the limited budget, players will receive match fees and daily allowances, along with transport and accommodation facilities.

The competition will follow the NCL formula, with each divisional side having a coach and a fitness trainer. The BCB has also formed three-member selection panels to prepare the initial squads.

Players selected in the preliminary squads will undergo a two-week fitness camp before undergoing fitness tests. Those who pass the tests and receive clearance from the selectors will earn places in the final squads, according to Tournament Committee Manager Abu Emam Mohammed Kawsar.

The committee has scheduled the MCL to run from 5 October to 10 November during the NCL season.

Another new addition is the Rising Stars Challenge Cup, a 50-over tournament involving four regional teams. The competition is planned to take place in Khulna and Barishal from 25 April to 6 May next year.

The committee is also reviving inter-university cricket, which has been absent from the BCB calendar for more than 12 years.

Besides, the BCB official highlighted that they are thinking of a T20 tournament with eight public universities, 16 technology universities, and 16 private universities, starting 20 January next year. 

The eight public universities will head straight to the finals, while 16 tech universities will compete in a qualifying round to send four teams through.

But the question now is whether it can negotiate the relentless schedule and deliver all nine tournaments in eight months and 11 days without compromising the quality and smooth running of domestic cricket.