The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is exploring the possibility of including foreign players and even overseas teams in its domestic first-class competitions — the National Cricket League (NCL) and the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) — a move that has stirred debate among players and officials alike.
According to BCB sources, the board is mulling the inclusion of two overseas cricketers per team in the upcoming edition of the NCL, as well as the potential participation of a foreign ‘A’ team, such as those from Afghanistan or Sri Lanka, in the BCL.
For local players, who already have limited opportunities with a maximum of 12 first-class matches per year, the inclusion of foreign players could mean even fewer chances to feature in the domestic circuit.
“I feel the question is, are you bringing players of a higher quality? For instance, someone like Kane Williamson?” a veteran domestic cricketer told The Daily Star anonymously. “If you aren’t bringing quality players, then a local player isn’t playing for someone who is not of high calibre. What benefit would come from including a foreign team in BCL?”
Others have raised concerns about priorities. “You can actually invest money on local players instead of bringing in foreign players. We lack facilities,” said another player.
Still, not all responses have been negative. A young fast bowler welcomed the idea, noting the potential for tougher competition. “I think the idea of a new team in BCL is a good one. Once we went to India’s Bengaluru where our ‘A’ team played against their first-class team. It can be good as it could provide tougher competition since Sri Lanka ‘A’ are a good side.”
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar, who currently serves as the BCB’s Head of Game Development Operations, sees merit in the proposal. Drawing from his own experience playing in New Zealand’s Shell Conference in 1997 shortly after Bangladesh won the ICC Trophy, Bashar said the exposure was invaluable.
“It won’t be the first instance,” Bashar said. “In the English County Championship, one foreign player is allowed per side. Even in Bangladesh, when Biman were champions, Imran Farhat was playing for us and I actually learned a lot from him before I played international cricket. Shaheed Mahmood, a leg-spinner from Pakistan, played for Chattogram and I learned a lot about playing leg-spin from him.”
While Bashar supports the initiative, the availability of quality foreign players during the October–November NCL window remains uncertain. Nonetheless, BCB officials believe that international involvement could raise the standard of domestic cricket — even as debate continues over its potential impact on homegrown talent development.