BCL kicks off Friday

The 8th edition of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), the country's lone franchise-based first-class cricket event, will kick off on Friday.
 
In the first round of the event, Islami Bank East Zone will take on Walton Central Zone at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday

BCB North Zone and BCB South Zone will face each other at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
 
Before the kicks off, the captains of Central Zone and East Zone unveiled the BCL trophy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
 
Islami Bank East Zone captain Mominul Haque believes the BCL will help the Test cricketers of the country to hone their skill set before the series against Pakistan.
 
"A good preparation is very important before every Test series. I think the BCL will provide us that preparation," Mominul, who captained the Tigers in the last Test series in India, told the media at Mirpur on Thursday.
 
"As a captain it's important to see all of my teammates how they perform in the BCL. I will obviously keep an eye on the Test players. I will see how they play, stay in the wicket and what the attitude they show in the first-class matches," Mominul added.
 
Mominul said his team-Islami Bank East Zone-is a balanced side with experienced and young bunch of cricketers.
 
Walton Central Zone captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also said that the BCL can provide the best preparation for the national team players ahead of the Test series in Pakistan.
 
"It's a good opportunity for us. It is always good to play matches instead of practices. The match situations are always different. If you score runs, take wickets in the matches, it will boost your confidence, and it will help to do well in Test match," Shanto told the media on Thursday.