'Test specialists' coming alive in NCL T20

The ongoing National Cricket League -- NCL T20 -- is going against the regular modus operandi of T20 tournaments in the country. The likes of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Amite Hasan or Fazle Mahmud Rabbi – considered as red-ball specialists -- are amongst the top run-getters, in absence of regular faces some of whom are in UAE with the Bangladesh T20I or ODI teams.

Joy was the latest among the 'Test specialists' to hit a ton on Sunday, following Shadman Islam's ton the day before. The likes of Mominul Haque had found some runs in the last NCL but this season a few Test cricketers have turned a corner.

Joy batted at a strike-rate of just over 115 in eight innings in the last edition. On Sunday, the 24-year-old moved to 99 with a six over long-on off Rejaur Rahman Raja before completing his ton with a four. His acceleration was notable. Having reached his fifty in 40 deliveries, he needed just 19 more to get to the hundred. Joy finished with a 63-ball 110, laced with five four and nine sixes, setting the record for highest score in NCL T20 history.

Courtesy of Joy's exploits, Chattogram reached 214 for 6 -- highest score in NCL T20, with Momimul also contributing with a 19-ball 32.

Despite Amite's 25-ball 40 at the top, Sylhet were bundled out for 115, handing Chattogram a 99-run win.

Shadman Islam scored the first century of the season on Saturday. Photo: BCB

Rabbi of Barishal believes that players such as Joy or Shadman are getting a chance to showcase their abilities in another format, which is a positive thing.

"It's a good thing. These players are getting an opportunity to showcase their T20 performances despite getting tagged as Test players. The players too want to perform in the top formats and do not want to be thought of as belonging to a certain format," he told The Daily Star.

Players such as Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain or Jaker Ali are playing for the national team at the moment. Asked about how it impacts the tournament, Rabbi said: "It's not possible to fill a gap left by players who are playing international cricket but you can see from a different point of view since a new player is getting an opportunity in those players' absence. There are quite a few players like that. If [Mohammad] Naim Sheikh was there, maybe Shadman would not have opened [for Dhaka Metro], so it's positive in that sense if players can capitalise."