County-style second XI gets October 8 start

The much-discussed second XI system for Bangladesh’s first-class teams is set to be introduced from October 8, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) looking to create a county-style structure within the National Cricket League (NCL).
A BCB official confirmed the plan to TIMES of Bangladesh, saying all eight divisional teams will have a second XI, with the initiative aimed primarily at providing competitive cricket to young players who are not yet ready for first-class cricket.
The project is the brainchild of BCB president Tamim Iqbal, who first raised the idea while serving as head of the ad hoc committee. Under the new structure, each of the eight NCL divisions will have a senior XI and a second XI, with players able to move between the two teams based on performance.
“So, all eight divisional teams will have a second XI. It is starting on the 8th. We are starting the second XI to provide them with an opportunity to play. This is mainly a platform for young players, say 18 or 19-year-old talents, who are not yet ready to play first-class cricket,” the official said.
The second XI will also serve as a pathway into the senior teams. Players who struggle at first-class level could be moved down, while those who perform strongly in the second XI could earn promotion.
“We will have an up-and-down structure. Players in the senior team who are not performing will come down, while someone who produces an outstanding performance here can move up to the senior team,” the official explained.
The BCB hopes the system will create competition at both levels while giving young players valuable exposure to longer-format cricket.
“Hopefully, this will create good competition and give the young players the desire to perform well. More importantly, they will get practice in playing longer-format cricket, spending time at the crease and staying at the wicket for long periods,” he said.
The second XI matches are expected to be played at BKSP and other venues around Dhaka. The BCB wants to keep the teams based close to the capital to control costs and ensure that players can quickly join the senior side if required.
“The venues will be at BKSP and around Dhaka. Our budget is a little limited, so we don’t want to spend on their travel. Also, if they play here and someone gets a call-up, they can move immediately,” the official said.
Fixtures for the second XI have already been prepared, although they are yet to receive final approval.
“The fixtures have been prepared, but they will be approved after the calendar meeting, the inter-department meeting,” he said.
The BCB also intends to keep a clear distinction between the two levels in terms of facilities and benefits, with the second XI not receiving the same privileges as the senior teams.
“We don’t want to provide too many facilities here, because then there would be no difference between the two levels. The players themselves should understand that if they stay here they will get this much, but if they move up, they can get much more. That should create competition,” the official said.