BCB President’s Cup triangular one-day tournament begins today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur which will be the country’s first competitive cricket tournament in the post pandemic era.
In the opening day, Mahmudullah XI will face Nazmul XI in the double-league tournament and the match will start at 1:30pm.
Spectators won’t be allowed at the venue due to the pandemic situation but they can watch live streaming of the match through the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of Bangladesh Cricket Board and also follow live commentary in Bangladesh Betar.
This will be the first competitive match in the country since March 16 when the first round matches of Dhaka Premier League ended, after which all sporting activities got suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
BCB originally planned to resume cricketing activities with the national team’s Sri Lanka tour, but that plan eventually failed because of Sri Lankan government’s reluctance to budge from their firm stance on quarantine policy.
The board has now launched this new tournament with players from national side, HP unit and the World Cup winning Under-19 team to end Bangladesh’s long break from competitive cricket.
Bangladesh one-day international skipper Tamim Iqbal, who is leading one of the three teams in President’s Cup, felt the tournament was a great opportunity for the young players.
‘If someone can do well with bat or ball that might open the door for national team for him. It’s a very good opportunity for the young cricketers; they can prove themselves and claim a spot in the national team,’ Tamim said after the trophy unveiling ceremony on Saturday.
Though the tournament is not a ‘List-A’ competition neither the prize money is lucrative but all three skippers, Tamim, Mahmudullah and Nazmul Hossain Shanto, are eyeing to win the trophy.
‘As I lead one of the sides in this tournament, obviously we all want to win the title. Everybody wants to win the trophy but only those who will play better can get the prize,’ Tamim said.
Bangladesh Twenty20 skipper Mahmudullah is also optimistic about his side.
‘We wish to be the champions. But the most important thing is that in this tournament experienced and promising cricketers are playing together and against each other. There will be a healthy competition among us to prove ourselves.’
Nazmul, who has previously led understudy teams and recently captained the Ottis Gibson XI in both of the two-day practice matches, also fancies his chances of winning the cup.
‘The side we have, I think if we can play our natural game we can be the winners. We will play to be the champions.’
In today’s match, Mahmudullah backed his balanced side to win while Nazmul believed that his younger side will have the edge on the field.
‘The team is good. From top order to late middle order; spin bowling to pace bowling everything is good. We are a well balanced team,’ said Mahmudullah.
‘Overall, our team is good; all the teams are good though. But I think in my team I have a good number of young guys which makes us a better fielding side along with batting and bowling,’ said Nazmul.
FIXTURES
DATE MATCH START VENUE
Oct 11 Mahmudullah XI v Nazmul XI 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 12 Reserve Day – –
Oct 13 Mahmudullah XI v Tamim XI 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 14 Reserve Day – –
Oct 15 Nazmul XI v Tamim XI 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 16 Reserve Day – –
Oct 17 Mahmudullah XI v Nazmul XI 1:30pm Mirpur –
Oct 18 Reserve Day – –
Oct 19 Mahmudullah XI v Tamim XI 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 20 Reserve Day – –
Oct 21 Nazmul XI v Tamim XI 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 22 Reserve Day – –
Oct 23 Final 1:30pm Mirpur
Oct 24 Reserve Day for Final – –
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