The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League begins today (Friday) with three four-day matches scheduled at separate venues.

In the opening match at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS) at Fatullah, Dhaka Division will face Chittagong Division. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Maj. Gen. Sina Ibn Jamali and tournament committee chairman Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir will be present at the opening ceremony.

In the Friday's other two matches, champions Khulna Division will meet Sylhet Division at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSMRSK) in Khulna while runners-up Rajshahi Division will take on Barisal Division at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS).

The budget of the tournament has been estimated at Tk 4.73 crore, of which sponsors Ispahani Mirzapore Tea will provide around Tk 35-40 lakh.

The four-day champions will receive Tk 10 lakh and the runners-up Tk 5 lakh, while the one-day champions will get Tk 4 lakh and the runners-up Tk 2 lakh.

The BCB will introduce two new prizes for this season. Best wicket-keeper and the double centurion in the one-dayers will receive Tk 30,000 and Tk 20,000 respectively.

Tournament committee chairman Ghulam Mohammad Alomgir disclosed the details at a press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) here Wednesday.

Alomgir also informed that the tournament would be held on home and away basis. Barisal Division will use Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS) and Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) as their home venues.

Cricket Operations Committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, and Ispahani Group of companies chairman Ali Behrouze Ispahani and senior marketing manager SM Showkat Hussain were, among others, present.