Tamim Iqbal Announces New Tournament In Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal [Source: AFP]

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is aiming to expand its first-class structure with a new tournament. Titled 2nd XI Championship, the planned first-class competition will serve as a feeder to Bangladesh’s prestigious National Cricket League.

The move mirrors the layered structure seen in England’s County Championship, where a dedicated Second XI circuit underpins the senior competition.

Active BCB president and former captain Tamim Iqbal confirmed the same with an aim of expanding first-class cricket opportunities for all segment of players in the country.

Tamim Iqbal goes the England way for Bangladesh cricket

On Thursday, April 30, BCB President Tamim Iqbal announced that the board is aiming to introduce a 2nd XI Championship in the National Cricket League. It is worth noting that the National Cricket League serves as Bangladesh’s most prestigious annual first-class competition.

While speaking with the reporters, the former Bangladesh captain stated that a particular segment of cricketers in the country get the chance to play five to six tournaments. He added that players who are representing Bangladesh in international cricket also get to feature in other competitions like the BPL, the National Cricket League and the Bangladesh Cricket League.

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Tamim Iqbal said “If you look at the design of Bangladesh cricket, you will see that maximum cricket is centered around just one segment of players. Those who play for the national team are the ones playing BPL, BCL, and NCL. One segment of players are getting the chance to play 5-6 tournaments.”

The BCB president further stated that players belonging to specific divisions hardly get to play other tournaments, which leaves lesser opportunities in the country for second division or third division players.

He said “But for those who play the third division, second division, or first division, there is no cricket for them other than playing those specific leagues. Because of this, there are very few instances in our cricketing history where a player has made it to the national team from the second or third division. This is because we could never create that platform.”

Tamim Iqbal explains format, benefits of 2nd XI Championship

Much like the English County Championship, the National Cricket League will also have two teams of every club, said Tamim Iqbal at a press conference. For instance, teams like Chittagong and Dhaka and others will have First XI and Second XI sides, leaving plenty of opportunities of other players to play first-class cricket in Bangladesh.

He said “From now on, when the NCL starts, Chittagong will have two teams - First XI and Second XI. Dhaka will also have two teams. In this way, every team will have a First and Second XI. When we start the Second XI, you are basically engaging another 100-150 or 200 cricketers.”

Tamim Iqbal further claimed that even national players can use the 2nd XI Championship as a platform to regain match fitness and ease their way back into competitive cricket after injury layoffs.

Citing Taskin Ahmed’s example, he explained “Let me an example: when Taskin Ahmed gets injured, after returning from injury, we send him to a first-class match and tell him not to bowl more than 6 overs. Why should we have these rules and regulations in a first-class match? Taskin Ahmed will go to the second XI; there, he can do his buildup in a relaxed way. If you look at the example of Jofra Archer, after returning from injury, his first match was for the second XI.”

BCB President gives timeline of 2nd XI Championship

Tamim Iqbal also hinted out a possible timeline of implementing the planned 2nd XI Championship. While speaking with the reporters, he said that the board might integrate the 2nd XI Championship in the National Cricket League this year itself in the upcoming season.

He said “So, we have all collectively made a decision and, Inshallah, we will start from this season.”

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