Rest of NCL T20 set to move to Sylhet

Rajshahi and Bogura venues are unlikely to host any of the remaining matches of the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 2025-26, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to stage the rest of the tournament at two venues in Sylhet.

A BCB official on Thursday confirmed the development to The Daily Star, adding that the board is planning to resume the NCL T20 on September 26 after the tournament was indefinitely postponed last Tuesday due to inclement weather and poor outfield conditions.

"We aren't thinking about going to Bogura and Rajshahi at the moment. Even if the weather improves, it will still be risky. A light shower would make it impossible to hold matches," said AEM Kawser, BCB's tournament committee manager.

"Sylhet venues have good drainage facilities. If it rains, we can still hold curtailed matches. We will move forward with this decision after getting the final nod from the board," he added.

According to the original fixture, the opening three rounds were scheduled at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium and Bogura's Shaheed Chandu Stadium, with each venue set to host six matches. The rest of the tournament was to be played in Sylhet at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and the Outer Stadium.

However, due to persistent rain and poor drainage, only the opening match between Dhaka Metro and Rajshahi Division could be held as a five-over-per-side game due to rain, while the other three fixtures of the first two days were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

"It would have been great to arrange a few matches in Rajshahi and Bogura. People there had huge interest, and some renovation work was carried out in those stadiums with the NCL T20 in mind. But since the grounds are creating problems, it risks the fate of the tournament," Kawser said.

"Actually, these two venues have no drainage system. In Bogura, even a day's normal rain makes it impossible to hold matches for the next two days. Both grounds have good wickets and facilities, but we need to bring them under a drainage system. We have already discussed this with the board, and hopefully, work will start soon," he added.

Kawser confirmed that the fixtures will remain unchanged, with the tournament expected to conclude in mid-October.

"We are likely to resume on September 26, with players reporting on September 24. We are coordinating with meteorologists, and according to updates, the weather should improve from September 25," Kawser said.