Bangladesh selectors added Fazle Rabbi Mahmud to the Test squad for the New Zealand tour to replace Shakib Al Hasan, BCB confirmed on Wednesday.  The 34-year old batter scored the most runs in the recently concluded 23rd National Cricket League where he made 630 runs at an average of 60.30.  Rabbi’s late inclusion came after ace all-rounder Shakib took leave from the NZ tour citing family reasons.  READ: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh lose by an inning and 8 runs Shakib was included in the squad when BCB announced the first list. But within a few hours after the announcement, Shakib sent a letter to BCB requesting a leave.  Bangladesh will face the hosts in a two-match Test series in January 2022 which will be a part of the 2021-2023 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The Bangladesh team will leave for New Zealand on Wednesday night for the series with the Tests scheduled in Tauranga and Christchurch Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka spin legend Rangana Herath has agreed to a two-year term as spin bowling coach of the Tigers. Herath will join the Bangladesh coaching team in New Zealand.  His contract is until the end of November 2023. Herath had earlier been the team’s spin consultant for the away series against Zimbabwe this year followed by the home series against Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. READ: Top Performers in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021 Bangladesh squad for New Zealand tour: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Naim, Fazle Rabbi Mahmud.

Dhaka Division lifted their first National Cricket League (NCL) title after seven years Wednesday after beating Khulna Division by 179 runs in the sixth round of the NCL 2021 at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). Khulna needed to score 379 runs to beat Dhaka, but they were bundled out for 199 runs in the last innings of the match. Dhaka won the match by 179 runs. Taibur Rahman, captain of Dhaka, bagged five wickets in the last innings, conceding 40 runs. In the first innings of Khulna, Dhaka's right-arm spinner Shuvagata Hom grabbed seven wickets. With three wins in six matches, two draws and one defeat, champion Dhaka earned 35.29 points. Runners-up Rangpur secured 31.74 points. Fazle Mahmud of Barisal scored the most runs, 603, in this season of NCL with a century and five fifties. Amite Hasan, 590, of Sylhet and Abdul Mazid, 521, of Dhaka were other batters to score more than 500 runs. Amite hit two centuries and Mazid one. Hasan Murad of Chattogram was the best performer with the ball in this season of the NCL. The left-arm spinner picked up 33 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Three other spinners – Nayeem Hasan of Chattogram and Nazmul Islam of Dhaka, and Sunzamul Islam of Rajshahi – bagged 32 wickets each. All of the top-five bowlers of this season's NCL were spinners, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Khulna being the number five, taking 28 wickets. There was only one pacer who made it to the list of top 10 bowlers in this NCL – Al-Amin Hossain of Khulna, who bagged 20 wickets.

A brilliant unbeaten century by Myshukur Rahman helped league leader Rangpur Division score 304 for 7 in 90 overs against Sylhet Division on the first day of the four-day National Cricket League at the BKSP ground-4 in Savar on Sunday. Sent in to bat first in the day’s title deciding final round match of Tier-1, Rangpur Division, riding on opener Myshukur Rahman’s polished innings of 131 runs off 264 balls featuring 14 fours, made a good total of 304 runs on the very first day. Apart from Mushukur ton, wicket keeper Dhiman Ghosh (54), Suhrawardy Shuvo (37), Naeem Islam (27), Alauddin Babu (21), captain Ariful Haque (14) and Tanvir Haider (13) were the other notable scorers for Rangpur. Debutant Jaynul Islam grabbed three wickets for 63 runs while spinner Enamul Haque Jr and Ahmed Abidul Haque took two wickets each conceding 73 and 75 runs respectively. In the day’s another Tier-1 league match, Dhaka Division scored 263 for 6 in 90 overs against Khulna Division on the first day of the four-day affairs at the BKSP ground-3 in Savar on Sunday. Read: NCL Cricket: Dhaka Div makes flying start beating Sylhet Div by 7 wkts One down Mahidul Islam Ankoin contributed the team highest 92 runs off 190 balls hitting nine fours and three sixes for Dhaka. Besides, opener Rony Talukder (48), Abdul Mazid (32), captain Taibur Rahman (32), Shuvagato Hom (21) and Raquibul Hasan (15) were the other main contributors for Dhaka. Pacer Al Amin Hossain claimed three wickets for 38 runs while Tipu Sultan took two for 77 runs. In a Tier-2 match, Chittagong Division opened the innings first after winning the toss and were out for 223 runs in 71.1 overs featuring 83 runs off 116 balls with nine boundaries by one down batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Besides, Pinak Ghosh (47), Jashimuddin (31), Sajjaful Haque (25), and captain Irfan Sukkur (12) were the other notable scorers for Chittagong Division. Sharfuddin did a major damage in Chittagong innings taking four wickets for .62 runs. In reply, Dhaka Metro team scored 52 for 2 in 14 overs when the bails were drawn for the first day (Sunday) to trail by 171 runs. Marshall Ayub and captain Shamsur Rahman were batting with 24 and 17 runs respectively. Read: National Cricket League to be more competitive, hopes Habibul In the day’s other Tier-2 league match at the Academy ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Barishal Division batted first after losing the toss and made 225 for 7 in 90 overs featuring a captain knock of 122 runs by Fazle Mahmud. Captain-cum-one down batter Fazle Mahmud hammered a century scoring 122 runs off 212 balls hitting 13 fours and a six. Islamul Ahsan made a half century for Barisal scoring just 50 runs in 216 balls with three boundaries while Moin Khan was the other Barishal batter scoring the double figure of 13 runs. Saqlain Sajib captured three wickets for 59 runs while Sunjamul Islam and Shafiqul Islam took two wickets each giving away 39 and 52 runs respectively.

Hosts Sylhet Division earned a four-wicket victory over Khulna Division in a Tier-1 match of the four-day National Cricket League (NCL) on the final day at the Academy ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Earlier, Barishal Division earned a creditable 78 runs victory over Chattogram Division on the 3rd day of the four-day League concluded on Tuesday at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar. On the 4th and final day (Wednesday), chasing a target of 203 runs, hosts Sylhet Division resumed the 2nd innings with overnight total 112 for 3 and reached their ultimate goal scoring 205 for 6 in 84.4 overs after making 172 runs in the first innings. Wicketkeeper Jaker Ali, who was not out on 9 overnight, scored a patient 41 runs off 108 balls featuring four boundaries while another nightwatchman and captain Zakir Hasan (17) contributed 37 runs off 106 balls, hitting three fours. Amite Hasan (41), Asadullah Galim (20), Alok Kapali (20), Tanzim Hassan Shakib (18) and Shahnur Rahman (15) were the other main scorers for Sylhet. Read: NCL Cricket: Dhaka Div makes flying start beating Sylhet Div by 7 wkts Seamer Al Amin Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed two wickets each conceding 44 and 76 runs respectively.   Earlier, Khulna Division scored 196 and 178 runs in two innings. Rejaur Rahman Raja of Sylhet Division, who grabbed eight wickets in two innings and scored 39 runs in the first innings, named the man of the match.     The other Tier-1 league match between Dhaka Division and Rangpur Division ended in a draw on the 4th and final day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Dhaka Division, with first innings total 394 runs, resumed the 2nd innings Wednesday morning with overnight score 38 for no loss and declared the innings at 203 for 9 in 67 overs, featuring a half century (51)  by Shovagata Hom. Besides, Rony Talukder (43), Raqibul Hasan (40), Taibur Rahman (28), Abdul Mazid (27) were notable contributors for Dhaka.  Mukidul Islam claimed three wickets for 38 runs while Ariful Haque took two for 35. Chasing a target of 277 runs, Rangpur Division (321 runs in the first innings), opened the 2nd innings and scored 75 for 3 in 30 overs when the bails were drawn for the 4th and final day (Wednesday). Read: 23rd NCL begins at four venues Nazmul Islam bagged all the three wickets for 29 runs. Opening batter Abdul Mazid of Dhaka Division, who scored 110 runs in the first innings and 27 runs in the 2nd innings, was adjudged man of the match.  The other league match between Rajshahi Division and Dhaka Metro also ended in a draw at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on the 4th and final day (Wednesday). Rajshahi Division scored 252 /10 in the first innings and made 184 for 4 in the 2nd innings, replying to Dhaka Metro’s 339 runs Sharifullah of Dhaka Metro was adjudged the man of the match for his seven wickets in two innings in addition to scoring 59 runs.    

Barishal Division earned a laudable 78-run victory over Chattogram Division on the 3rd day of the four-day National Cricket League that concluded at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday. Chattogram Division with first innings total 87 runs, resumed the 2nd innings with a target of 199 runs to win, but were bundled out cheaply again scoring 120 runs to suffer a huge defeat.  In the day’s another match, Dhaka Division took 111- run lead over Rangpur Division on the 3rd day of the four-day National Cricket League (NCL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Replying to Dhaka Division’s first innings total 394 runs, Rangpur Division resumed the first innings with overnight score 96 for 3 and were all out for 321 runs in 116.5 overs, featuring a superb innings of Ariful Haque. Number six batsman Ariful Haque hammered a polished 98 runs off 118 balls with five fours and four sixes, overnight batter Nasir Hossain (16) made 66 runs off 164 balls hitting six fours and two sixes while another nightwatch batter Naeem Islam (32)  contributed 55 runs off 140 balls with three fours and one six. Read: NCL Cricket: Dhaka Div makes flying start beating Sylhet Div by 7 wkts Shuvagoto Hom and Nazmul Islam captured four wickets each conceding 74 and 132 runs respectively. In reply, Dhaka Division opened the 2nd innings Tuesday afternoon and scored 38 for no loss in 22 overs to take 111 runs lead against Rangpur with Rony Talukder and Abdul Mazid were on batting with 21 and 17 runs respectively. At the Academy ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, hosts Sylhet Division needed another 91 runs in the 2nd innings on the 4th and final day of the national Cricket League on Wednesday to win against Khulna Division. Having 196 runs in the first innings, Khulna Division resumed the 2nd  innings with overnight total 46 for 3 in 14 overs and were all out for 178 runs in 45.5 overs with Nahudul Islam making 48, Ziaur Rahman  47 and captain Mohammad Mithun 46 runs. Read: 23rd NCL begins at four venues Rejaur Rahman Raja grabbed five wickets for 51 runs while Eanmul Haque Jr and Tanzim Hasan Shakib took two wickets each giving away 50 and 56 runs respectively. Chasing a target of 203 runs, Sylhet Division with first innings total   172 runs, opened 2nd innings Tuesday afternoon and scored 112 for 3 in 49. 5 overs. They needed another 91 runs on the 4th and final day (Wednesday) to win the match.

Dhaka Division made a flying start in the four-day Bangabandhu 23rd National Cricket League (NCL) beating hosts Sylhet Division by seven wickets in the opening match that concluded on the 3rd day at the Academy Ground of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Needing 18 runs to win, Dhaka Division resumed the 2nd innings Tuesday morning with overnight total 48 for 3 and reached their target scoring the match-winner 66 runs (for 3 wickets) without losing any wicket on the day in 20.5 overs.   Night watch batter Rakibul Hasan, who was on batting with 5 runs, guided the team towards victory scoring not out 15 runs off 32 balls featuring three boundaries while another overnight batter Taibur Rahman (3) made not out eight runs off 25 deliveries with a boundary. Brief score: Sylhet Division- First innings- 67 all out in 22 overs, Rahatul Ferdous 18, Sayem Alam 17,  Amite Hasan 14. Nazmul Islam 6/23, Shuvagoto Home 3/18. 2nd Innings- 174 all out in 71.4 overs, Amite Hasan 76, Imtiaz Hossain 43, Rahatul Ferdous 17, Jaker Ali 10, Nazmul Islam 4/41, Shuvagoto Hom 3/62. Dhaka Division Ist Innings- 176 all out in 41 overs; Shuvagoto Hom 50, Mahidul Islam Ankon 47, Abdul Mazid 35, Sumon Khan 15, Enamul Haque Jr 4/66, Ebadot Hossain 3/34. 2nd innings- 66 for 3 in 20.5 overs (overnight score 48 for 3); Rony Talukder 20, Rakibul Hasan not out 15, Saif Hasan 12, Taibur Rahman not out 8, Ebadot Hossain 1/8, Rahatul Ferdous 1/11. In the another league match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, hosts Chattogram Division needed 62 runs in the 4th and final day to win against Rajshahi Division with eight wickets in hand scoring 15 runs for 2 in the 2nd innings at the end of the 3rd day (Tuesday). Read: 23rd NCL begins at four venues Rajshahi Division, having 166 runs in the first innings, resumed the 2nd innings on Tuesday with total 79 for 3  and were all out for 259 runs in 99 overs, featuring 68 runs by Towhid Hridoy, who was batting with 26 runs.   Nayeem Hasan grabbed four wickets for 61 runs and Mehehi Hasan Rana took three for 53 runs. Chasing a target of 77 runs to win, Chattogram Division opened the 2nd innings Tuesday afternoon and scored 15 for 2 in seven overs . Earlier on Monday, Chattogram Division scored a huge 349 runs for all 100 overs in the first innings, featuring a century by Yeasir Ali. Yasir Ali hit 100 and Irfan Sukkur and captain Mominul Haque half-centuries. Right-handed Yasir, who was batting on 70 runs, scored 129 runs off 198 balls with the help of 15 fours and three sixes. Irfan and Mominul scored 63 and 50 runs. Sanzamul Islam picked up five wickets for 99 runs while spinner Taijul Islam bagged four wickets for 119 runs. Brief score : Rajshahi Division -Ist Innings-166 all out 41.3 overs; Towhid Hridoy 68, Sunzamul Islam 21, Nayeem Islam 4/42, 2nd innings- 259 all out in 99 overs; Towhid Hridoy 68, Jahurul Islam 53, Farhad Reza 40, Sunzamul Islam 39, Nayeem Islam 4/61, Mehedi Hasan Rana 3/53 Chattogram Division Ist Innings – 349 all out in 100 overs; Yasir Ali 129, Ifran Sukkur 63, Mominul Haque 50, Mehedi Hasan Rana 36,Sunzamul; Islam 5/99, Taijul Islam 4/119,    2nd innings – 15 for 2 in 7 overs; Irfan Sukkur 7, Nayeem Hasan batting 3, Sadukur Rahman batting 3. Sunjamul Islam 1/7, Towhid Hridoy 1/3 In the day's other match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Rangpur Division leading by 39 runs against Khulna Division on the 3rd day of the four-day affairs on Tuesday. Read: Bangabandhu 23rd NCL begins Sunday Rangpur Division Ist innings – 257 all out in 103.1 overs; Suhrawardi Shuvo 40, Nasir Hossain 32, Dhiman Ghosh 31, Naeem Islam 30, Robiul Haque 28, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 6/90, Al Amin Hossain 3/56. 2nd innings – 42 for no loss in 13.3 overs; Myshukur Rahman 21, Jahid Jabed 20   Khulna Division Ist innings- 260 all out in 89.3 overs ; Anamul Haque 84, Mohammad Mithun 33, Ziaur Rahman 29, Nahudul Islam 29, Imrul Kayes 25, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 23, Suhrawardi Shuvo 6/87, Mukidul Islam 3/45. The day's other match, Dhaka Metro took 23 runs lead over Barishal Division on the 3rd day of the four-day match at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar on Tuesday.  The match between Dhaka Metro and Barishal Division did not take place due to rain Monday, Earlier, Dhaka Metro opened the innings first on Sunday and scored 239/10 in 82.5 overs, with Sadman Islam scoring 75 runs, Sharifullah 59 and Abu Hider Rony 38. Tanvir Islam snatched six wickets for 78 runs; Kamrul Islam took four for 43 runs. Barishal Division resumed the first innings on Tuesday with overnight score six runs for one in three overs and finally all out for 241 runs in 86 overs. In reply, Dhaka Metro opened the 2nd innings Tuesday afternoon and scored 25 for no loss in 13 overs when bails were drawn for the 3rd day (Tuesday).

The eight-team four-day Bangabandhu 23rd National Cricket League (NCL) began Sunday at four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar Hosts Sylhet Division are trailing by 74 runs against Dhaka at the end of the first day. Winning the toss at the Academy Ground of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS), Sylhet batted first and were bundled out for 67 runs in 17 overs in the first innings. In reply, Dhaka scored 176 for all in 41 overs, on the back of a 50 by Shuvagoto Hom, 47 runs by Mahidul Islam Ankon and 35 by Abdul Mazid. Spinner Enamul Haque Jr grabbed four wickets for 66 runs; Ebadot Hossain claimed three wickets for 34 runs. Sylhet opened the second innings in the afternoon and scored 35 for 1 in 17 overs to trail by 74 runs. Hosts Chattogram are trailing by 40 runs against Rajshahi Division at stumps on day one. Asked to bat first at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram (ZACS), Rajshahi Division were all out for 166 in 41.3 overs. Towhid Hridoy (68), Sanjamul Islam (21), and Sabbir Rahman (20) were the top run-scorers for Rajshahi. Read: Bangabandhu 23rd NCL begins Sunday Nayeem Hasan grabbed four wickets for 42 runs; Irfan Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Rana took two wickets for 24 and 39 runs. In reply, Chattogram scored 126 for 2 in 33 overs. Yasir Ali and captain Mominul Haque remained unbeaten on 70 and 32 runs. Taijul Islam bagged two wickets, conceding 46 runs. Barishal are trailing by 233 runs against Dhaka Metro. Dhaka Metro opened the innings first and scored 239/10 in 82.5 overs at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar, with Sadman Islam scoring 75 runs, Sharifullah 59 and Abu Hider Rony 38. Tanvir Islam snatched six wickets for 78 runs; Kamrul Islam took four for 43 runs. In reply, Barishal scored six runs for one in three overs. In the second round, Dhaka will meet Rangpur at the SICS. Khulna will face Sylhet at the SICS Academy Ground, Chattogram will play against Barishal at the ZACS; Dhaka Metro will encounter Rajshahi at the SICS Academy Ground.

The eight-team Bangabandhu 23rd National Cricket League (NCL) is set to begin on Sunday at four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar. The four four-day matches will be held in the first two rounds in the four venues – the first round from October 17-20 and the 2nd round from October 24-27. Read: National Cricket League to be more competitive, hopes Habibul In the first round, Dhaka Division will play Sylhet Division  at the Academy ground of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS), Khulna Division will meet Rangpur Division at SICS, Chattagram Division will face Rajshahi Division at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) in Chattogram while Dhaka Metro will encounter Barishal Division at the Academy ground of SICS in Cox’s Bazar. In the 2nd round, Dhaka will meet Rangpur at SICS in Sylhet, Khulna will face Sylhet at SICS Academy ground in Sylhet, Chattogram will play Barishal at ZACS in Chattogram while Dhaka Metro will encounter Rajshahi at SICS Academy ground in Sylhet.

Former Bangladesh captain and the current member of the selection panel of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Habibul Bashar, believes this year’s National Cricket League (NCL) will be more competitive.  This year’s NCL, the most prestigious First-class event in Bangladesh, is scheduled to begin on October 17.  Read:Bangladesh U-19 to travel Sri Lanka in October A total of eight teams will participate in the event which will be played in four fields in two different venues in Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar.  Bangladesh will play a few Test series after the T20 World Cup which is set to take place next month in Oman and the UAE. Habibul believes the NCL will help the players to prepare well for the Tests coming later this season.  “We are taking much time before this year’s NCL so that the teams can prepare well,” Habibul told the reporters on Sunday.  “Usually teams get only a few days before a season of NCL takes the field. But this time around, we are taking a little more time before the event gets started.” The selection panel has already announced squads including 20-22 players. All the players are currently going through a fitness training programme. The squad will be shortened to 16 members after a fitness test before the NCL starts. Read:Afghanistan win one-off Youth Test beating Bangladesh by three wickets “The main squads will begin their preparation on October 5. Instead of 14, a squad will have a total of 16 players this time so that we can replace players if anyone tests positive for Covid-19. And the wickets are also fresh now. I believe this year’s NCL will be more competitive,” Habibul added. This year’s NCL had a start in March, but due to the Covid-19 restriction the event was cancelled after the two rounds of games.  “We will have a good chance to prepare ourselves (playing in NCL) well ahead of the next cycle of Test championship,” Habibul added. “We failed to have a good start in the previous season, and we could not comeback well. We are eager to do well this time. It’s an advantage for us that we can start at home against Pakistan. They are a good team, but the time has come for us to make a comeback.”

The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) has decided to hold the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) 2019-20 from 31 May 2021. The previous season of the league was called off due to the surge of Covid-19 outbreak in the country after just one completed round of matches. The competition will now have a fresh start and will be played in a T20 format instead of the usual 50 overs. “The CCDM with the support of the BCB’s plan to organise the DPL from May 31,” CCDM Chairman Kazi Inam Ahmed was quoted in a media release sent by BCB on Sunday evening. “As decided earlier it will be a T20 event. Considering the busy international schedule and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, we believe that T20 is the ideal format for the 2019-20 League,” he added. After the suspension of last year’s Dhaka League, BCB organized two makeshift events later last year— BCB President’s Cup and Bangabandhu T20 Cup. BCB had also started this year’s National Cricket League, but due to the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, they opted to hold it temporarily. “The BCB president has given a clear direction on the importance of players’ safety during these times. The board has successfully completed two tournaments this season and has hosted the West Indies in Bangladesh. We will draw from these learnings and make plans for the Bangabandhu DPL accordingly. We know what this league means to the players and clubs and appreciate their support during the planning stage,” Kazi Inam further added.