Busy Schedule Leaves NCL Short of National Stars

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced all eight squads for the upcoming National Cricket League 2026-27 on Friday, with the tournament scheduled to begin on October 3.

Current national cricketers have been left out of the squads because Bangladesh's T20 side is currently in Japan for the Asian Games cricket competition, running from September 29 to October 3.

National Test players selected for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in the UAE from October 9 to 13 have also been excluded from the initial NCL rosters if they are not part of the T20 squad.

The national side will subsequently engage 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 starting October 28.

Following the West Indies series, Bangladesh will tour South Africa for a full-fledged series, with the opening Test scheduled for November 15.

Consequently, the National Cricket League, running until November 17, will largely proceed without Bangladesh's premier national players this year.

Team officials indicate that national players are likely to feature in only one or two rounds at most, with the majority expected during the third round from October 17 to 20 and the fourth round from October 24 to 27.

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

Other opening fixtures feature Khulna Division against Barishal Division at the Khulna Divisional Stadium, and Chattogram Division meeting Rajshahi Division at the Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.