BCB introduces strict quotas for NCC amid opening eve mishap
The board has noted that they will consider exceptions for an extra over-30 player if districts can verify their superior quality over younger alternatives.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has implemented stringent age and residency regulations for the upcoming 64-team National Cricket Championship to boost competitiveness, though the tournament's eve was marred by a road accident involving the Chandpur district team.
Beginning Sunday (22 February), the two-tier 50-over competition will restrict teams from fielding more than four players over the age of 30, a move designed to eliminate the casual participation of much older individuals and foster a stronger Under-23 development pipeline.
And, squads are now limited to hiring a maximum of three players from outside their home district. This officially reverses a previous practice that sometimes saw entire squads formed by non-local cricketers.
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The board has noted that they will consider exceptions for an extra over-30 player if districts can verify their superior quality over younger alternatives.
The tournament structure features two 32-team tiers, with a promotion and relegation system in place. Top-tier group winners will advance to a three-day competition in April 2026, while the bottom eight teams will face relegation.
To identify emerging talent, the board is deploying coaches across the 16 match venues for a dedicated scouting program. Top-level players not involved in the Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition, such as Hasan Murad and Musfik Hasan, are also participating.
Despite the board's push for increased professionalism, basic logistical challenges remain glaring. Highlighting these infrastructural hurdles, a Chandpur district player sustained injuries in a road accident while the team was travelling precariously with their equipment in an auto-rickshaw just before the tournament.
