NCL week 1 - Nadif stars for Dhaka Division, Abu Hider and Qazi Onik help Dhaka Metro win thriller
Quick bowlers on top on grassy tracks, with Sumon Khan picking up cheapest nine-for by a pacer in Bangladesh's domestic first-class history
No centuries in a full round of NCL matches is a rarity, but BCB's policy of keeping more grass than usual on some of the pitches and introducing the Dukes ball looks like it made batting difficult.
Sumon Khan's match haul of nine wickets played a big part in Dhaka Division's win over Rangpur Division. His 9 for 41 is the cheapest nine-for by a fast bowler in Bangladesh's domestic first-class competitions. The only consolation for Rangpur was Musfik Hasan becoming only the third fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul [5 for 48]in first-class debut in Bangladesh.
Dhaka Metro picked up their closest win in the NCL since coming into the competition in the 2011-12 season. Manik Khan's four-wicket haul helped them bowl out Khulna Division for just 131, but Dhaka Metro only took a 25-run lead. Sharifullah's 25 was their top score, but when Khulna batted again, his five-for kept them down to 191.
Dhaka Division and Sylhet Division have got off to good starts, leaving Rangpur Division and Chattogram Division with a lot to do in Tier 1. Dhaka Metro have also done well to start off with a win in a tight Tier 2 field, which includes former champions Rajshahi Division and Khulna Division.
Amite, who was the second-highest scorer in last season's NCL, made a sound start this time too, with that 79 against Chattogram Division. Dhaka Division's Sumon taking nine wickets was a good sign, while debutants Musfik and Naeem Ahmed also made impressive forays into the first-class game.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84