Bangladesh's National Cricket League (NCL) introduced a T20 format tournament this year with a mission to discover fresh talent and improve the nation’s performance in the shortest format of cricket. With the national team often struggling in T20 Internationals, this initiative aimed to identify promising cricketers beyond the national squad, and the results are already promising.

Dhaka Metro captain Naim Sheikh topped the run charts with 316 runs in 10 innings, including three half-centuries. His strike rate of 135.04 and 11 sixes demonstrated his potential as a dependable T20 batter.

Another name making waves was Jishan Alam, a young sensation known for his explosive batting. In the tournament opener, Jishan smashed seven sixes in eight balls, making an instant impact. His tally of 281 runs came at a blistering strike rate of 158.75, and his 22 sixes were the most in the tournament.

Rajshahi's Habibur Rahman Sohan also impressed, scoring 259 runs at a strike rate of 160.86. Experienced campaigner Nurul Hasan Sohan contributed 266 runs with his calculated aggression, while U19 captain Azizul Hakim Tamim scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 136.99, marking his debut in recognized T20 cricket.

Tamim Iqbal made a notable return, amassing 190 runs in just four matches, with standout innings of 65 and 91. Meanwhile, Akbar Ali, Bangladesh’s U19 World Cup-winning captain, made a strong case for national team inclusion with 208 runs at a strike rate of 149.64 and a tournament-high 12 dismissals behind the stumps.

Pacer Alauddin Babu emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps, while 20-year-old pacer Ahmed Sharif impressed with his consistent performances. Other notable bowlers included Rakibul Hasan, Aliss Al Islam, and Abu Hider Rony, who continued to shine in domestic cricket.

The tournament not only provided a platform for underrepresented players but also saw seasoned stars proving their mettle. As Bangladesh looks to bolster its T20 squad, the NCL T20 appears to be a game-changer for identifying talent across the nation.