NCL T20 begins in city today: Cyclones of Chittagong meet Rajshahi Rangers in opener

The new look Destiny Group National Cricket League (NCL) T20, in the style of Indian Premier League (IPL), kicks off today (Sunday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur.

Cyclones of Chittagong (Chittagong Division) will play Rajshahi Rangers (Rajshahi Division) in the opening match at 7:45 pm after an hour-long opening ceremony.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith will inaugurate the shorter version of the prestigious league as chief guest at 5:30 pm.

A grand laser show, cultural program and fireworks display will feature the inauguration ceremony ahead of the opening match between Chittagong Cyclones and Rajshahi Rangers.

Satellite TV channel ATN Bangla will telecast live the inauguration ceremony and the opening match.

On the following day (Monday), Cyclones of Chittagong meet Sultans of Sylhet (Sylhet Division), Dhaka Dynamites (Dhaka Division) play Barisal Blazers (Barisal Division) at SBNCS, while Rajshahi Rangers (Rajshahi Division) meet Kings of Khulna (Khulna Division) at the BKSP in Savar.

Six divisional teams are taking part in the NCL T20, partially following the Indian Premier League (IPL) format. The participating teams, however, have chosen their respective players by lottery during the ceremonial event launch at Hotel Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday, not by auction like IPL.

A large number of Pakistani players, alongside Sri Lankan and Indian cricketers are likely to play here in the league.

Three teams – Sultans of Sylhet, Rajshahi Rangers and Dhaka Dynamites – in separate press briefings expressed firm determination to battle for the league title, saying that said their target is to clinch the league title.

At a press briefing on Saturday, Dhaka Dynamites captain Mohammad Ashraful said: “We formed a perfect team for the T20 cricket and will fight for the league title.”

Dhaka Dynamites officials informed that two Sri Lankan players – Ajantha Mendis and Thushara Mirando – have already arrived in the capital to play for their team and Imran Nazir of Pakistan arrives here tomorrow.

Dhaka Dynamites captain Mohamamd Ashraful, team owner Shayan F Rahman, Nazmul Hassan Papon MP and coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon were present at the briefing.

Earlier, local business house Destiny Group emerged as the title sponsor of the league providing Tk 1.5 crore at the event launch ceremony on Wednesday.

The BCB also signed agreement with six franchises, which purchased the six divisional teams of the NCL T20 at the function.

Aziz Al Kaiser Tito of Partex Group purchased the Barisal Division team named as “Barisal Blazers” to be led by top order batsman Shahriar Nafees.

Lutfar Rahman Badal of Neel Sports purchased the Chittagong Division team, “Cyclones of Chittagong”. Famed national opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will captain the team.

Shayan F Rahman of Beximco Group became owner of Dhaka Division team, “Dhaka Dynamites”, to be captained by former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful.

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of ATN Bangla, purchased the Khulna Division team, “Kings of Khulna”. Captain of national Cricket team Shakib Al Hasan will lead the team.

Hasan Imam of MN Group became the owner of Rajshahi Division team, “Rajshahi Rangers”, and former national skipper cum wicket keeper Khaled Mashud Pilot will lead the team.

Rezwan Bin Faruk, Ali Asif Khan, Latif Khan and Farid Khan of Riz Biz Event Management jointly purchased the Sylhet Division team, “Sultans of Sylhet”. Recent past national captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will captain the team with team icon Alok Kapali as his deputy.

The players of NCLT20 are divided in five groups. Players of Grade A + player will get Tk 400,000 each, of Grade A Tk 300,000, Grade B Tk 200,000, Grade C Tk 150,000 and Grade D Tk 100,000.

The champions team will receive Tk 70,00,000, runners-up team Tk 35,00,000, man of the tournament Tk, 100,000, fastest fifty maker Tk 50,000 and highest sixes maker 50,000.