Tamim Iqbal, one of Bangladesh’s premier batter is set to make his return to competitive cricket in the T20 format of the National Cricket League (NCL), scheduled to start on December 11.

Though away from the international stage for a considerable time, Tamim has continued his presence in domestic cricket through leagues like the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). It was anticipated that Tamim would make his comeback with the upcoming BPL season, where he led Fortune Barishal to the title in the last edition, emerging as the top scorer and player of the tournament. This year, Tamim is expected to remain with Barishal; however, fans will see him take to the field even sooner as he represents Chattogram Division in the NCL T20.

Hannan Sarkar, a national team selector, confirmed Tamim’s participation, saying, “Tamim has shown interest in playing the NCL T20, and it’s nearly confirmed that he will play. Naturally, he will represent Chattogram Division. Although we haven’t finalized his exact schedule or the number of matches he’ll play, he has expressed his eagerness to join.”

Sarkar further added that Tamim would need to pass a fitness test before stepping into the NCL, which aligns with the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) policies. “Everyone must undergo a fitness test,” he stated. “This is a basic standard we uphold. Senior players had previously received some leeway, but going forward, all players, including Tamim, must meet the required fitness benchmarks.”

With the NCL T20 tournament approaching, Tamim’s participation is expected to add excitement, marking a key moment ahead of his anticipated return to the BPL.