Akbar Ali's Rangpur crowned NCL T20 2024 champions

Rangpur Division created history by winning the title of the inaugural edition of the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 on Tuesday beating Dhaka Metro by five wickets on Tuesday in Sylhet. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hosted the tournament to give the local cricketer more chances to play T20 cricket ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

All the teams, which take part in the NCL First-class, also played the T20 edition of one of the most prestigious domestic cricket events of the country. 

Rangpur won the toss in the final and opted to bowl first. Dhaka started with a big hope as Imranuzzaman drove Mukidul Islam Mugdho for a four through the deep cover region off the first ball of the match. 

But the morning did not show the day well for them. Dhaka lost four wickets in just eight runs with Mukidul taking three wickets in his first two overs. 

With just 16 runs on the board, Dhaka lost five wickets. They had no clue against Rangpur's disciplined bowling attack. 

Only two Dhaka batters— Shamsur Rahman Shuvo and Abu Hider Rony— were able to reach a double-digit figure. 

Eventually, Dhaka crumbled for 62 runs in 16.3 overs. It was the lowest total in a T20 event final in Bangladesh. 

For Rangpur, Mukidul and Alauddin Babu shared six wickets equally between them. 

In reply, Rangpur reached the target with 52 balls to play and five wickets in hand. 

But before closing the game, Rangpur also lost wickets quickly. They were reduced to 47 for five in 7.5 overs, keeping hope alive for Dhaka.

But a cautious 23-run stand by Ariful Haque and Anamul Haque Anam sealed the match for Rangpur, earning them the pride of first NCL T20 title. 

The NCL T20 served as a much-needed opportunity for local cricketers to prove their mettle in the shorter format of the game.

These cricketers often get overlooked in BPL, where teams have a wider pool of cricketers, including foreign recruits.