Busy calendar leaves NCL short of national team stars

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Friday announced all eight squads for the upcoming National Cricket League (NCL) 2026-27, which is scheduled to begin on October 3.

The current national cricketers have not been included in the squads as Bangladesh’s T20 side is currently in Japan for the Asian Games cricket competition. They will begin their campaign on September 29, with the competition running until October 3.

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Meanwhile, the national Test players selected for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in the UAE from October 9 to 13, and who are not part of the T20 squad, have also been left out of the NCL squads.

The national side will also be involved in a tri-series with Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in the UAE from October 17 to 23 before hosting a two-Test series against the West Indies, beginning on October 28.

Bangladesh will then tour South Africa for a full-fledged series, with the first Test scheduled to begin on November 15, shortly after the conclusion of the West Indies series.

As a result, the NCL, which will run until November 17, is unlikely to see many of Bangladesh’s top national cricketers this year.

According to team officials, the national players are likely to feature in one or two rounds at most in the ongoing NCL, with the majority expected to participate in the third round, scheduled for October 17-20, and the fourth round, from October 24-27.

Defending champions Rangpur Division will begin their campaign against Dhaka Division at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, while Sylhet Division will face Mymensingh Division at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Khulna Division will take on Barishal Division at the Khulna Divisional Stadium, while Chattogram Division will meet Rajshahi Division at the Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.

NCL squads 2026-27:

Khulna Division: Anamul Haque Bijoy, Azizul Hakim Tamim, Imranuzzaman, Mohammed Mithun (capt), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Samiun Bashir Ratul, Kalam Siddiki Allen, Nahidul Islam, Sheikh Parvej Jibon, Afif Hossain, Tipu Sultan, Rakib Hawlader, Sofor Ali, Abdul Halim and Mehdi Hasan Rana.

Mymensingh Division: Abdul Majid, Rony Chowhun, Al Amin, Mossabbek Hossain Sun, Abu Hider Rony, Munim Shahriar, Asadullah Hill Galib, Rakibul Hasan (capt), Al Amin Hossen, Khalid Hasan, Azijul Hakim Rony, Md Fahim, Mahfijul Islam, Ariful Islam and Rizan Hossan.

Barishal Division: Mojammel Hasan Shakil, Zawad Abrar, Rafsan Al Mahmud, Salman Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Ovi Ahmed Nobel, Moin Khan, Tawhidul Islam Rasel, Iftakhar Hossain Ifti (capt), Abdullah Shifat, Hafizur Rahman, Shohidul Islam, Ruyel Mia, Shamsul Islam Anik and Moinul Islam.

Chattogram Division: Irfan Shukkur (capt), Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Hasan Murad, Md Rubel, Sadikur Rahman, Shamim Hossain, Ashraful Hasan Rohan, Ahmed Sharif, Fahad Hossain, Irfan Hossain, Enamul Haque Ashiq, Sabbir Hossain Sikder, Shah Paran Sohel and Tasamul Haque.

Rangpur Division: Anik Sarker Shatu, Jahid Javed, Abdullah Al Mamun, Akbar Ali (capt), Mehedi Hasan, Abu Hasim, Shadhin Islam, Chowdhury Md Rizwan, Shahria Al Amin, Iqbal Hossain, Nobin Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Limon, Hasibul Hosen Siyam, Mim Mosaddeak and Alauddin Babu (bowling subject to fitness).

Rajshahi Division: Sabbir Rahman, Meherob Hasan Ahin, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Sabbir Hosan, Sunzamul Islam, Nihaduzzaman, Ekramuzzaman, Shafiqul Islam, Nayeem Ahmed, Ali Mohammad Walid, Wasi Siddique, Rahim Ahamed, Shakhir Hossain Shuvro, Pritom Kumar (capt) and Mohor Sheikh Antor.

Dhaka Division: Jishan Alam, Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Anamul Haque, Arif Ahmed, Sumon Khan, Marshall Ayub, Anisul Islam Emon, Salauddin Sakil, Toibur Rahman Parvej, Easin Hossain, Ripon Mondol, Mahidul Islam Ankon (capt), Aminul Islam Biplob, Taufike Ahmed and Naim Sheikh.

Sylhet Division: Zakir Hasan (capt), Amite Hasan, Tanvir Hussain Sojib, Ashraful Hasan Rihad, Asadullah Al Galib, Mubin Ahmed Dishan, Tofael Ahmed, Shahanur Rahman, Shykat Ali, Nayeem Ahmed, Nabil Samad, Tawhidul Islam Ferdus, Naim Hossain Sakib, Mohiuddin Tarek and Anik Debbarma.