BCB revamps National Cricket League to restore competitive integrity

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is pushing through structural changes to the National Cricket League ahead of the 2026-27 season. Match fees have doubled to Tk 1.5 lakh, division-specific coloured caps and helmets will mark each side, and captains will wear customised blazers at the toss. A new shield-shaped trophy arrives, and Kookaburra balls return after last season's Duke experiment. The biggest shift is a Second XI competition that starts on October 7, giving the eight teams a developmental side. Players who don't deliver in the top tier can be dropped to the Second XI, where facilities and pay are lower, so the incentive to stay sharp is real. National players are expected to feature through most of the tournament that runs until November 17, though availability will hinge on the Asian Games, a one-off Test against Afghanistan and tours to South Africa and the West Indies.