‘Never this competitive’

Bangla Press Desk:  Rangpur Division completed a remarkable domestic double on Tuesday by clinching the National Cricket League (NCL) title for the third time — and the second under young captain Akbar Ali.

Rangpur had already done their part by beating Khulna Division inside three days at the Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogura, securing at least a runners-up finish. However, their hopes of retaining the title depended on the final-round match between Sylhet and Barishal in Rajshahi.

A Sylhet victory would have handed Zakir Hasan’s side back-to-back championships. But anything less than a win meant Rangpur would be crowned champions once again.

As the final day unfolded, Sylhet’s chase of 320 failed to threaten, ending on 187-5. Mushfiqur Rahim and Asadullah Al Galib made fighting half-centuries, but the draw ensured Sylhet finished second in the standings.

Rangpur, watching closely from Bogura, were officially crowned champions — adding the four-day title to the NCL T20 trophy they won earlier this season, also under Akbar’s leadership.

The day was not without drama. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) tournament committee, anticipating a Sylhet triumph, had sent trophies and crests to Rajshahi in advance. Rangpur were initially asked to travel there on Tuesday for the presentation ceremony but declined, insisting the trophy be brought to Bogura, where they had been based throughout the final round.

This explained why the Rangpur players refrained from celebratory photos after Monday’s win over Khulna, choosing to wait until the silverware was officially handed over.

Captain Akbar chose not to dwell on the trophy handover confusion. Instead, he focused on what the triumph truly represented — a reward for hard work in one of the most fiercely contested NCL seasons in recent memory.

“I don’t think first-class cricket has ever been this competitive,” he said. “Not only the top three teams — five teams were in the race for the championship. Three teams were in the top three, but even Chattogram had a chance. Mathematically, Chattogram was alive, and Barishal too.”

He explained the fine margins: “If Barishal had won and the other two matches ended in draws, Barishal would be champions. In the last five years, I don’t remember first-class cricket ever being this competitive. I don’t recall it ever being this intense.”

Rangpur’s campaign reflected that intensity. They began the season with three consecutive draws but surged late, winning three of their last four matches to emerge as genuine title contenders. Akbar said the equation was clear when they entered the final phase.

“We were in third place, so the equation was simple: we had to win. If we won, then depending on the result of the Sylhet–Mymensingh match — if their result went in our favour or if they failed to get what they needed — then the title would come to us.”

Their final match being in Bogura gave Rangpur confidence. “Historically, Bogura produces results. If you look at ten matches there, eight of them end in results. So we knew this match would also have a result. Before the match, the message was clear: no matter how tough it gets, we will play to win. There would be no approach of playing for a draw.”

Akbar revealed that Rangpur’s strong finish came from long-term planning rather than last-minute desperation.

“When we received the fixtures, we sat with a few senior players and the coaching staff and made an initial plan: we have to win the two matches in Bogura and the one in Rajshahi. The rest — if we can’t win — we must aim for draws.”

Different conditions across venues also shaped their strategy.

“In the last three rounds, apart from the Chattogram match, we had positive results in all our games. At Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar we played with Kookaburra balls, and getting results there was very difficult. The plan was simple: if we could win, great; if not, secure the draw. Because we knew two matches in Bogura and one in Rajshahi were ahead.”

Their pace attack, more effective with the Duke ball, became central to their thinking.

“In Rajshahi and both Bogura matches we had the Duke ball. Since our strength is pace bowling, it was always in our minds that even if we didn’t win in Cox’s Bazar, we must win in Rajshahi and the Bogura games. The Cox’s Bazar match was fine to draw, but unfortunately we lost one match due to a single bad spell.”

Despite that setback, Akbar’s leadership and Rangpur’s planning held firm — carrying them all the way to a memorable championship.

BP/SP