Local players want more red ball matches
As the domestic season is often re-scheduled and cut short to accommodate the national team’s matches, the length of the first-class tournaments varies. This time BCL has four teams. But instead of having a doubleheader, each team will play the other. only once. So, the players will get three matches to play.
Playing more matches with the red the ball will only help Bangladesh cricket build a strong foundation in the longer format. Players preparing for the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) opined that, a longer season would help them to improve.
Veteran cricketer and former national team regular, Enamul Haque Junior thinks, more three or four-day matches are essential to get better in the format.
"It is finally a piece of good news that the red ball games are commencing. It is important that we start playing with the red ball as the Test championship is starting this year. I believe if we can perform well in the longer format then we can play well in the other formats too" Enamul said.
As the domestic season is often re-scheduled and cut short to accommodate the national team's matches, the length of the first-class tournaments varies. This time BCL has four teams. But instead of having a doubleheader, each team will play the other. only once. So, the players will get three matches to play.
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Players like Enamul are worried about the issue. A domestic cricketer should be able to play 12-14 first-class matches per season, according to the spinner playing for BCB North Zone.
"It's not too late, we still can take red ball cricket seriously. If we play 12-14 matches every season, we can improve our quality. The season is not long. We get to play 3 matches instead of six. If we perform to our potential in those three matches, Bangladesh cricket will benefit" he said.
Also, the lack of prep time is a concern for the cricketers. Players were drafted officially on Monday and the tournament begins on Friday. Another veteran, Junaid Siddiqui has his views on this short preparation time.
"We only have 2-3 days for preparations. But as professional cricketers, we cannot have that excuse. The premier league will start soon. The national team has a busy schedule. So, keeping all that in mind we have to prepare ourselves within the short time we get. We have to perform despite less preparation time" he said.
The first round of BCL matches starts on February 1. In the first match, Walton Central Zone will fight Islami Bank East Zone at Mirpur and in the second match, BCB North Zone will take on BCB South Zone in Chattogram.
