NCL 2018: top 5 performances in the first round

The new session of Bangladesh domestic cricket has kicked off with the National Cricket League (NCL) 2018-19. The NCL is the premier first-class cricket league of the country. Eight divisional teams participate in this competition and the most experienced and talented cricketers of the country take part in this prestigious league.

The first round of NCL ended with the victories of Dhaka Division and Dhaka Metro over Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division respectively, and with two draws between Barisal Division- Rangpur Division and Khulna Division-Rajshahi Division.

The just-concluded first round of the NCL saw numerous brilliant performances. Some senior guys showed their brillianc and some youngsters performed remarkably as well. We have sorted out 5 top performances in the first round of NCL 2018.

#5 Afif Hossain (7 wickets for 66 in a single innings)

Afif Hossain takes seven scalps in the NCL opener

Afif Hossain, a 19-year-old lad of Khulna Division, took as many as seven scalps against Rajshahi Division. The left-handed all-rounder widely considered as one of the best young cricketers in Bangladesh, proved his merit on many occasions during his days in age-level cricket.

Afif came into the limelight for the first time back in 2015 when he registered a fifer in his T20 debut for Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League. Chirs Gayle, the West Indian monster, was among of Afif's victims. The southpaw already played for the Bangladesh senior side in a T20 during the series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Afif's seven-wicket haul helped Khulna to draw the match against Rajshahi in the first round of NCL 2018. Despite being of a hard-hitter top-order batsman, Afif is capable of the damaging opponent by his left-arm slow bowling. He established it once again in the NCL opener.

#4 Shahadat Hossain (8 for 108 in the match)

Shahadat Hossain took eight wickets in the match and help Dhaka to win over Chittagong

Shahadat Hossain is the only Bangladeshi pacer, who has managed to see his name on the honours board of the Lord's by taking five scalps on the most significant cricket venue in the world back in 2010. But, the right-handed pacer failed to continue his form at the highest level of cricket.

The six-feet tall pacer took eight wickets in the first round of the NCL 2018 for Dhaka Divison against Chittagong. Dhaka scored 238 in the first innings of the match. Shahadat took 4 for 62 when Chittagong went into the middle for their first innings, and then, Dhaka scored 385 for 1 in their second innings thanks to a superb knock of 228 of Rony Talukdar.

Chittagong were bowled out quickly, scoring only 267 in their last innings as Shahadat took four scalps once again for 46.

This bowling performance of the right-handed pacer helped Dhaka Division to commence their NCL campaign with a comprehensive win.

#3 Tushar Imran (centuries in both innings, 104 and 159)

Tushar Imran becomes first Bangladeshi player to hit centuries in both innings of a first-class match more than once.jpg

Tushar Imran, the highest run-scorer in the first-class cricket for Bangladesh, has scored centuries in both innings of the first round of NCL 2018 against Rajshahi Division. Tushar plays for Khulna.

Tushar hit his 29th first-class ton in the first innings of the match when his team got packed up for 210. The right-handed batsman did it again in the second innings. He smashed 35 deliveries for fours and three for sixes in his two remarkable innings. And, by this glorious batting display, Tushar became the first Bangladeshi batsman to hit centuries in both innings of a first-class match more than once.

With this impressive acts, Tushar is continuing to knock at the doors of the Bangladeshi selectors. He could hope for a national call after 11 years in the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.

#2 Rony Talukdar (228* career-best knock)

Rony Talukdar hits his career-best innings of 231 runs while making a partnership of 350 with Abdul Mazid

In the victory of Dhaka over Chittagong, Rony Talukdar hit his career-best 228* in the second innings of his team. He also scored 59 in the first innings. This tremendous effort of the right-handed batsman helped Dhaka to register an outstanding win over Chittagong.

Rony is one of the batsmen in Bangladesh domestic circuit, who always tries to improve. Despite scoring plenty of runs in domestic cricket, he is still in waiting to get enough chance to prove himself in the international cricket.

The right-handed batsman has all the capabilities to become a solution of the long-time problem of Bangladesh's combination. If he plays more innings like this, he might get a call from the selection panel.

#1 Ariful Haque (231 by the all-rounder)

Ariful Haque hits his maiden double-ton in the first-class cricket

Ariful Haque was among the 16-member squad of Bangladesh team during the Asia Cup but did not get chance to play a single match in the prestigious event. He hit a marvellous 231 runs right after backing from the Asia Cup.

The right-handed all-rounder drew the attention of critics during the BPL 2016-17. But, he had to wait for a long time to get the national call. Ariful played six T20Is for Bangladesh, but he is yet to show his merit in the international level.

His innings of 231 runs, will surely help him to earn a call for the Test team ahead of home series against Zimbabwe. Ariful played 75 first-class matches and scored in an average of 34.00. He registered eight centuries and 16 fifties in his first-class career.