Eddie Barlow and Minhajul Abedin declare Bangladesh's National League the way of the future

Bangladesh coach Eddie Barlow and victorious Chittagong captain Minhajul Abedin have hailed the new National League as the way for the future of Bangladeshi cricket.

Both Barlow and Minhajul said this week the League would provide national team players more consistency at playing at the higher level.

"From my point of view it is absolutely magnificent," Barlow enthused.

"It was very competitive, which the players needed. It is a massive step forward for Bangladeshi cricket as it will provide them with a more intense level of cricket on a consistent basis.

"Previously the guys were playing internationals and then going back and playing club cricket," Barlow added.

He added that it would boost cricket in the regional areas.

"What happened in the past was that players had to come to Dhaka and the club competition was the main league. Now they can stay in their city of origin."

Interviewed separately, Minhajul concurred.

"They will be more confident in the five day games," the recently retired former national player said.

"It [the national league] should have a great future."

As practice for international cricket, Minhajul had one suggestion:

"It needs good wickets outside Dhaka. Most of them play fairly low which isn't good experience when the national players play on bouncier wickets," Minhajul offered.

Minhajul said Chittagong's win should be attributed to a good team effort.

"This is a very good side. There were major contributions from 10 players adn they combined well."

In what is probably a case of giving a straight answer to a direct question, Minhajul named himself as Chittagong's best player.

"I scored 580 runs from eight innings," Minhajul said.

He also nominated leg-spinner Shahid Mahmood as a key contributor.

Barlow is elated with the steady procession of competitive matches Bangladesh has in the near future:

"The MCC arrives shortly with a very good side and not long after we play in the Asia Cup - this is just what we need."

Beyond The Test World would like to thank Eddie Barlow for his cooperation since arriving in Bangladesh for his role as national coach. Because of the developmental nature of this page, he has previously written an article and has consented to do so again in the future.