Top players comment on NCL wickets

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From the Daily Star:

Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 6th National Cricket League
No complaints about wickets
Sports Reporter

There may be a lot of things cricket authorities can do to turn the country's only first-class competition into a true professional one, but one thing has pleased the leading cricketers this year is the pitches.

With the completion of the sixth round the Ispahani Sixth National Cricket League already saw a flurry of hundreds and many believe it has happened because of good wickets, a long cherished demand from the players.


"We had a bitter experience of playing on wickets where the ball hardly bounced above the knee and at times rolled after pitching. But this year things have dramatically improved and I must admit we have played on some good wickets," said Dhaka captain Khaled Mahmud ahead of the seventh round that commences today.

"We have so far played six games in Bogra, Chittagong and Fatullah and they are really fantastic compared to what we had experienced last year," said the 32-year-old all-rounder.

The first six rounds of the first-class competition saw as many as 28 hundreds with the last round alone producing nine centuries.


Mahmud however was critical about the non-appearance of some leading national cricketers in the meet, but he was amazed at the fighting spirit some young players.


"It is unfortunate that some leading players did not take part for no valid reasons. But some young boys really seized the opportunity. I've never seen such a huge number of cricketers coming out with big hundreds," said Mahmud.


Although Mahmud did not point his finger towards any definite direction, he was understandably disappointed with his left-arm spinner and country's leading wicket-taker Mohammad Rafique.


Rafique vanished from the National League scene after playing in the first round.

Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar also echoed the voice of his predecessor, but also shouted for a few bowler-friendly wickets.


"If we want to play better cricket abroad we should prepare true sporting wickets. It is nice to see some good batting tracks but there should be something for bowlers as well," said the country's premier batsman and Khulna captain.


National wicketkeeper and Rajshahi captain Khaled Mashud also satisfied with the wickets so far.


"I have taken part in all the five previous National Leagues and I must say wickets this time are far better and that's why we saw a lot of big innings," said the ever-energetic stumper.


Mashud also appreciated the Board's idea of involving the national selectors in finilising the rosters of the six participating teams.

But Mashud urged for a better financial package for the players.

"This is the number one domestic cricket competition but to be frank we are getting less than what a Second Division cricketer is being paid," said Mashud.

Bashar was even brash in his comment.

"Why does a player has to take the League seriously where he gets only Taka 450 a day as appearance fee?"