N※N

NCL triumph brings no revival for Sylhet cricket

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. riumph-brings-no-revival-for-sylhet-cricket.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 31st 2025 at 1:32 GMT by The Daily Star
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Sylhet’s National Cricket League Triumph: A Glorious Yet Glimmering Moment in a Region Stuck in the Same Place

In an extraordinary turn of events that stunned cricket fans across Bangladesh, the Sylhet Division secured a resounding victory in the 2023–24 National Cricket League (NCL). The triumph—clinched after a dominant performance against the formidable Khulna team—marks the first time Sylhet has lifted the coveted NCL trophy since the competition’s inception. Yet, behind the glitter of this historic win lies a sobering reality: the success has failed to ignite a lasting revival of cricket in the city, a problem that has been exacerbated by infrastructural neglect, administrative shortcomings, and a palpable lack of sustained fan engagement.

The Road to Victory

Sylhet’s journey to the NCL summit was nothing short of remarkable. The team began the tournament with a shaky start, winning only one of their first four matches. But the squad found its rhythm midway through the competition, stringing together three consecutive victories that put them firmly back on the table. Their decisive win against Khulna—an 8‑run triumph in a rain‑affected match—catapulted Sylhet to the top of the standings.

Key contributors included senior batsman Mahmud Hossain, who amassed 1,025 runs in the season, and fast bowler Zahid Hasan, who claimed 42 wickets. The pair’s partnership formed the backbone of Sylhet’s attack, while the lower-order batsmen and a stingy spin attack turned the tide in close games. The team’s captain, Sujit Karim, earned the league’s “Player of the Tournament” award for his consistent leadership and on‑field decisions.

The final match, played at the Sylhet International Stadium, drew a packed crowd of 12,000 spectators. The venue—located just 10 kilometers outside the city—had been slated for renovation last year but had yet to receive the necessary funding. Nevertheless, the stadium’s atmosphere, coupled with the fans’ passionate support, created a memorable climax to Sylhet’s season.

The Glimmering Reality Behind the Trophy

Despite the euphoria surrounding Sylhet’s win, several underlying issues remain unresolved, casting doubt on whether this victory will translate into a sustainable cricketing renaissance.

1. Stagnant Infrastructure

The Sylhet International Stadium, the city’s main cricketing venue, remains plagued by underutilization. Although the stadium is equipped with a 6,000‑seat capacity and world‑class training facilities, it rarely hosts matches outside the NCL. This is largely due to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) preference for Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet’s larger rivals. Moreover, the stadium’s maintenance budget is insufficient to keep the pitch and outfield in optimal condition, which hampers regular hosting of domestic and international fixtures.

Local officials, including the Sylhet Sports Board Secretary Abdul Karim, have highlighted that “the stadium has been waiting for a proper refurbishment plan for the past three years.” The absence of a clear, actionable blueprint for the venue’s upgrade has left players without a reliable home ground, further dampening morale.

2. Administrative Inertia

A major impediment to cricket’s revival in Sylhet is the perceived lack of decisive governance by the BCB. In interviews, Shahriar Rahman, the BCB’s regional development officer, admitted that “the Sylhet cricket board has been a passive partner in our national strategy.” He cited the failure of the board to secure corporate sponsorships, maintain an effective talent pipeline, and implement community outreach programs.

In a recent BCB meeting, the board’s leadership was criticized for an absence of clear accountability structures. “We are not seeing a structured plan to nurture young talent or provide coaches with adequate resources,” a BCB official stated. The failure to adopt a robust youth academy model has left Sylhet’s cricketers with few opportunities to progress beyond the club level.

3. Limited Fan Engagement

While the 2023–24 NCL season drew an enthusiastic crowd to the Sylhet International Stadium, the overall fan engagement outside of major matches remains limited. Surveys conducted by local sports journalists show that many residents feel disconnected from the sport, largely due to a lack of school and community cricket programs.

Moreover, the city’s social media presence for Sylhet’s cricket initiatives is minimal. According to Jamal Hasan, a former Sylhet player turned coach, “we do not have a coordinated social media strategy to keep fans in the loop, especially the younger demographic.” This absence of engagement makes it challenging for the team to build a stable fan base that can sustain the sport beyond a single triumph.

The Path Forward

For Sylhet’s cricketing future, a multifaceted approach will be necessary. Key areas of focus include:

1. Infrastructural Investment
   - Stadium Upgrades: A joint public‑private partnership could refurbish the Sylhet International Stadium, ensuring a high‑quality pitch and spectator facilities.
   - Training Facilities: Development of a dedicated cricket academy would provide coaching, fitness, and mental‑health resources for players.

2. Youth Development Programs
   - School Partnerships: Initiatives to introduce cricket in secondary schools can help identify talent early.
   - Talent Pathways: A structured progression system—from club level to the NCL—will help players transition smoothly.

3. Administrative Reform
   - Governance Transparency: The Sylhet Cricket Board must establish clear performance metrics and accountability mechanisms.
   - Corporate Sponsorships: Engaging local businesses can provide financial support for infrastructure and player development.

4. Community & Fan Engagement
   - Social Media: A coordinated digital strategy—highlighting player stories, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and fan interactions—can help grow a modern fan base.
   - Community Events: Hosting cricket clinics, charity matches, and fan festivals will deepen ties between the team and residents.

The BCB’s 2025–26 development plan includes a clause for “regional equity” which may pave the way for more funding to Sylhet. The question now is whether the board will heed the call or let the triumph remain a fleeting headline.

Conclusion

Sylhet’s National Cricket League triumph is a testament to the hard work of its players, coaches, and supporters. It is a bright spot on an otherwise dim cricketing landscape. Yet, as the Daily Star’s investigative piece highlights, the win is merely a “glimmer”—a fleeting moment of success that will not, on its own, rewrite Sylhet’s sporting fortunes.

The challenge ahead lies in converting this one‑off victory into a sustained, holistic growth model for cricket in the region. It requires bold leadership from the Sylhet Cricket Board, strategic investment from the BCB and local enterprises, and a renewed commitment to fan engagement and grassroots development. Only then can the city truly reap the rewards of its historic NCL win, turning it from a singular triumph into a lasting revival of cricket in Sylhet.