The battle for the National Cricket League (NCL) title has reached its final and most dramatic stage. As the tournament enters the last round, Sylhet Division stand once again on the brink of glory. Having secured their first-ever championship only last season, they are now positioned at the top of the points table and are determined to retain their crown. Their final fixture against Barishal will ultimately decide whether the coveted trophy returns to Sylhet or finds a new home.
A victory for Sylhet in the last round would seal the championship with authority. However, a defeat or even a draw could open the door to a complex web of possibilities, allowing multiple teams to remain in contention. This last-round scenario has added an intense sense of anticipation across the cricketing landscape.
Sylhet’s preparations, however, have suffered a major blow. Three of their frontline pace bowlers—Rejaur Rahman, Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain—have been ruled out due to injury and personal reasons. Yet head coach Rajin Saleh is confident that the remaining seamers have the ability to fill the void. Speaking to the media, he emphasised the team’s inner unity and dedication. “Whether young or senior, every one of our players is fully committed. The environment within the squad is special—each of them carries Sylhet in their heart,” he said.
Should Sylhet falter, the strongest claim to the title will shift to Mymensingh, who are competing in the National Cricket League for the very first time, replacing Dhaka Metro. Their journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With only a single day of practice before the tournament began, they have shown remarkable resilience, keeping themselves just two points behind Sylhet.
Mymensingh will take on Rajshahi in what could become the defining match of their debut season. Their coach, Nazmul Hossain, attributes the team’s success to the unity developed during weeks spent together. “We spent as much time together as possible—at the hotel, on the pitch, during training. We supported the players both in good and bad situations. This bonding has become our greatest strength,” he explained.
Beyond these two frontrunners, the title race is still mathematically open for several other teams. Rangpur, Khulna, Chattogram and Barishal—all with two wins each from six matches—also carry an outside chance. With so many possible outcomes, the final round promises a blend of excitement, suspense and strategic calculation.
NCL Points Table:
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Bonus | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylhet | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| Mymensingh | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 |
| Rangpur | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 23 |
| Khulna | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 22 |
| Chattogram | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Barishal | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Rajshahi | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Dhaka | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
Points System:
• Win: 8 points
• Draw: 2 points each
• Tie: 4 points each
Bonus Points:
• Innings victory: +1
• Win by 10 wickets: +1
• Winning 2 matches in a row: +1
• Winning 3 in a row: +2
• Winning 4 in a row: +3
• Winning 5 in a row: +4
• Winning 6 in a row: +5
Tiebreakers:
Most wins
Fewest losses
Points earned in head-to-head matches
Most opposition wickets taken
Most runs scored
Final Round Fixtures:
| Match | Venue |
|---|---|
| Sylhet vs Barishal | Rajshahi |
| Mymensingh vs Rajshahi | Sylhet |
| Dhaka vs Chattogram | Mirpur |
| Rangpur vs Khulna | Bogura |
All eyes are now on the last round—one that could redefine the standings and crown a champion in dramatic fashion.