The special caps were presented to the eight captains by former cricketers who represented their respective divisions in the National Cricket League, ahead of the 28th edition of the tournament.
The four-day NCL is scheduled to begin on October 3, with eight divisional teams competing across four venues in the opening round.
Khulna captain Mohammad Mithun also received his team’s baggy cap, speaking about the new initiative, Mithun said the caps would give the teams a distinct identity, with each division assigned its own colour.
“We play domestic cricket to have an impact in international cricket. Since first-class cricket is played because of Test cricket, the baggy cap is a symbol of Test cricket. The colour is not important. We will embrace the colour we have been given. At least, we now know that we have a colour. It is very important to carry that identity.”
Mithun also stressed the importance of improving the standard of first-class cricket to strengthen Bangladesh’s Test setup.
“The better the first-class cricket of a country, the better its Test cricket. This has been said only in words for so long. The standard of first-class cricket was never where it should have been. This time it is happening, and all the players are happy about it.”
The 28th NCL will run until November 17, with each team playing seven matches in the single-tier competition.
Defending champions Rangpur will face Dhaka in the opening round at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, while Khulna will take on Barishal, Sylhet will meet Mymensingh and Chattogram will face Rajshahi at the other venues.
