National Cricket League 2006-07 (Half season review)

National Cricket League 2006-07 (Half season review)
The first leg of the National Cricket League 2006-07 held from 9 November 2006 to 9 December 2006. National selectors declared squads for the divisional teams on November 4. There were few changes for each division from their previous squad for NCL 2005-06 due to emergence of some young cricketers in the national fold. It will again resume in February 2007 after completion of Premier Division Cricket League.

1. Rajshahi Division
Current Standing : 1st (P 5 W 3 L 0 D 2 PTS 22)

Squad : Naeem Islam, Zahirul Islam, Hasanuzzaman, Farhad Hossain, Anisur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahman, Rezaul Islam, Zunaid Siddeque, Shafaq Al-Jaber, Mohammad Shahajada, Alamgir Kabir, Sumon Saha, Sohrawardi Shuvo, Arif Hossain, Arif Reza, Mohammad Nirala, Mahbub Alam Mustaquim, Rafiqul Islam, Khaled Mashud, Forhad Reza and Mushfiqur Rahim. Coach: Wahidul Gani.

With youngsters contributing Rajshai is well placed after first leg to retain the title. Rajshahi won 3 out of five matches with the two draws came against Khulna in the rain-affected opening round and in the title challenging clash with Dhaka. In case of batting, Naeem Islam is as consistent as previous NCL and is showing his worth, Jahurul Islam continues to impress, and Junaid Siddique batted tremendously well against Khulna with a superb unbeaten hundred to ensure victory. National players from Rajshahi has not yet performed as per expectation, neither Farhad Reza nor Mushfiqur Rahim had a poor run in the first round. Mohammad Shahzada has been the undisputed star of the league so far, while Suhrawadi Shuyvo has provided useful support with his slow-left arm.

Leading run scorer: Naeem Islam (306 runs @ 43.71, 2x50, 1x100), Jahurul Islam (269 runs @89.66, 2x100), Junaid Siddique (252 runs @ 84.00, 1x100, 1x50).

Leading wicket taker: Mohammad Shahzada (31 wickets @ 14.03, 2x5i, 1x10m), Suhrawadi Shuvo (15 wickets @ 13.26, 2x5i), Mushfiqur Rahman (13 wickets @ 25.84, 1x5i).

2. Dhaka Division
Current Standing : 2nd (P 5 W 2 L 1 D 2 PTS 20)

Squad : Al Shahriar, Uttam Kumar, Nadif Chowdhury, Marshal Ayub, Shamsur Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Sajjad Kabir, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosharaf Hossain, Mohammad Sharif, Talha Jubair, Mohammad Azam, Anwar Hossain Monir, Mohammad Shakil, Zabid Hossain, Javed Omar, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Rafique, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Shahadat Hossain, Anwar Hossain, Rezaul Islam, Mahbubul Alam. Coach: Sarwar Imran.

This year Dhaka is blessed with two brilliant innings from Mohammad Ashraful including 263 against Chittagong which helped them picking early wins. But they could not maintain their form and slumped to defeat against Sylhet in the last round. Their two wins came against Barisal and Chittagong. Masrhall Ayub is showing his brilliance and is a future for Bangladesh cricket. Another SLA Mosharraf Hossain is taking big wickets and Dhaka is well balanced when they are not getting the service of Mohammad Rafiq.

Leading run scorer: Mohammad Ashraful (417 runs @ 83.40, 2x100), Marshall Ayub (353 runs @ 44.12, 1x100, 1x50).

Leading wicket taker: Mohammad Sharif (24 wickets @ 19.70, 2x5i, 1x10m), Mosharraf Hossain (20 wickets @ 19.90, 1x5i), Mohammad Rafique (10 wickets @ 14.6).

3. Chittagong Division
Current Standing : 3rd (P 5 W 0 L 1 D 4 PTS 14)

Squad : Ehsanul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin, Gazi Salahudiin, Faisal Hossain, Sabbir Khan, Dhiman Ghosh, Nadimuddin Mintu, Tareq Aziz Khan, Gazi Alamgir, Kamrul Islam, Ilias Sunny, Sadid Khan, Ashiqur Rahman, Nafis Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Debbroto Paul, Saju Dutta, Raihanuddin Arafat and Mahmudul Hassan. Coach: Minhazul Abedin.

Chittagong made a quiet start in the current NCL. They were frustrated in couple of occasions by weather and once by the mighty innings of 263 by Mohammad Ashraful. From a comfortable position against Barisal when they were 68/5, Arafat Salahuddin and Shahin Hossain batted out the day to frustrate them. Gazi Salahuddin is continuing his run feast and young Tamim Iqbal is showing some signs of consistency. Bowling is indifferent and that's why they failed to win a single match. Sabbir Khan is the work horse for them and taking wickets.

Leading run scorer : Gazi Salahuddin (384 runs @ 42.66, 1x100, 2x50), Faisal Hossain (311 runs @ 44.62, 1x100, 1x50), Tamim Iqbal (286 runs @ 31.77, 3x50), Ehsanul Haque (278 runs @ 30.88, 1x100, 1x50).

Leading wicket taker : Shabbir Khan (29 wickets @ 22.55, 3x5i, 1x10m), Tareq Aziz (13 wickets @ 35.53).

4. Sylhet Division
Current Standing : 4th (P 5 W 1 L 1 D 3 PTS 12)

Squad :Golam Rahman, Imtiaz Hossain, Ejaj Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Golam Mowla, Golam Mabud, Sirajullah Khadem, Mohammad Rana, Ahmed Saqiqur Rahman, Rezaul Haque, Hasibul Hossain, Zakwan Ahmed, Enamul Haque (Jr.), Nazmul Hossain, Nabil Samad, Saif Mahmud, Moniruzzaman, Mitun Ali, Rajin Saleh and Tapash Baisya. Coach: Golam Faruk Suru.

Sylhet started the season with two consecutive draws against Chittagong but failed to cope with Impressive Mohmmad Shahjada against Rajshahi and conceded the match. In the next round sylhet earned their solitary but memorable win against Dhaka with a team performance. Thanks to centuries for Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali and wickets from very impressive looking Nabil Samad. Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali are scoring runs to regain their place in the national side while young Imtiaz Hossain is showing some promise. This year Sylhet i witnessing the revolution of Tapash Baisya as an all-rounder.

Leading run scorer : Rajin Saleh (334 runs @ 47.71, 1x100, 2x50), Golam Mabud (322 runs @ 35.77, 1x100, 2x50), Imtiaz Hossain (318 runs @ 31.80, 1x50), Alok Kapali (298 runs @ 33.11, 1x100).

Leading wicket taker : Nabil Samad (17 wickets @ 20.70, 2x5i), Hasibul Hossain (12 wickets @ 32.83), Alok Kapali (11wickets @ 28.81).

5. Khulna Division
Current Standing : 5th (P 5 W 0 L 2 D 3 PTS 10)

Squad : Nazmus Sadat, Sajjadul Hasan, Salauddin Ujjal, Shafiul Alam, Mohammad Selim, Sahgir Hossain, Jamal Uddin, Ziaur Rahman, Dollar Mahmud, Shiplu, Monjurul Islam, Mazhar Uddin, Asadullah Khan, Humayun Kabir, Fahim Muntasir, Sadiq Khan, Nasir Hossain, Manjarul Islam Rana, Tushar Imran, Habibul Bashar, Mashrafee Bin Mortuza, Sakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak and Syed Rasel. Coach: Abdul Hadi Ratan.

Khulna is yet to register a win in curent season. National discard and Captain Manjarul Islam Rana is talking with both bat and ball and is the leading run scorer of current NCL. He is well supported by opener Sajjadul Hasan with bat and young Dolar Mahmud with ball. Nazmus Sadat has failed to continue his run feast from previous season which is adding further misery to Khulna.

Leading run scorer : Manjurul Islam Rana (421 runs @ 60.14, 2x100), Sajjadul Hasan (342 runs @ 42.75, 3x50).

Leading wicket taker : Manjurul Islam Rana (15 wickets @ 17.80, 1x5i), Dolar Mahmud (14 wickets @ 16.50, 1x5i), Ziaur Rahman (12 wickets @ 24.00), Sadik Khan (10 wickets @ 24.60).

6. Barisal Division
Current Standing : 6th (P 5 W 1 L 2 D 2 PTS 10)

Squad : Hannan Sarkar, Imran Ahmed, Nasir Uddin Faruque, Rakibul Hasan, Humayun Kabir, Arman Hossain, Mehdi Hasan, Mohammad Shafen, Ishraq Sonet, Abul Bashar, Sajidul Islam, Arafat Salauddin, Ali Arman, Ahsanullah Hasan, Ariful Haq, Mokhtar Ali, Taposh Ghosh, Lablu Rahman and Shahriar Nafees. Coach: Md. Emdadul Haque.

Barisal is undoubtedly the weakest side of the tournament. Their high point came when they defeated relatively strong Khulna in Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. Good Allround performance by Ali Arman and solid batting by Arafat Salahuddin ensured the solitary win. Barisal will be fighting this year to avoid the last place.

Leading run scorer : Arafat Salahuddin (353 runs @ 44.12, 1x100, 2x50).

Leading wicket taker : Ali Arman (17 wickets @ 19.29, 1x5i), Sajidul Islam (16 wickets @ 21.68, 1x5i), Ishraq Sonet (11 wickets @ 26.36), Arafat Salahuddin (11 wickets @ 32.81).