This year’s Dhaka First Division Cricket League was hit by postponements, team walkovers, and relegations. Despite all the odds, Narail’s Rithik Roy emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer and led Dhanmondi Sports Club to clinch the title.

Initially scheduled to start on November 18, the 2026 FDCL was pushed back multiple times after the clubs protested alleged irregularities in the Bangladesh Cricket Board elections in October, last year.

The clubs then declared a boycott of all domestic competitions, as a result, the league was delayed to November 25 and then again to December 14.

Eventually, it started with 20 teams but was again postponed after eight clubs were relegated following walkovers in the opening round.

‘It was a big setback. When you’re in good form and momentum breaks, it’s tough mentally. There’s uncertainty and pressure. With fewer teams and fewer matches, we were left with less room for error,’ said Rithik.

Amid those challenges, the left-handed Rithik made 688 runs in just ten innings and finished as the best batter. His tally included a highest-scoring knock of 139, along with scores of two 90-plus knocks (97 and 93), and six half-centuries overall.

‘I had a clear goal—to perform well this year and play Premier League. I wanted to go match-by-match and trusted the process. I’m around 23, and opportunities reduce with time,’ said Rithik, who missed his U-19 call-up for being two months older than the age limit back in 2022.

The league concluded with Dhanmondi Sports Club crowned champions and Dhaka United finishing as runners-up among the 12 teams.

Both teams earned promotion to the DPL, scheduled to begin at the end of March, which was Rithik’s ultimate objective.

‘DPL is my main focus now. Definitely. And NCL too, if I get the chance,’ he reiterated.

For those eight clubs and players who missed out on FDCL participation, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis is set to host a tournament.

Rithik noted that adaptability became a key factor for batters as matches were played at different venues, including the Purbagaon Krira Shikkha Protishtan Grounds in Rupganj and the Fans Cricket Academy Ground in Dhaka.

‘Overall, wickets were very good. Early matches used CA balls; later matches used SG balls, which felt heavier and affected stroke play, slightly. So we had to adapt to it, otherwise, no major issues.’

He also urged the cricket board and CCDM to nurture the players representing at the age level and often get ignored in the long run.

‘Players who consistently perform scoring 700–900 runs in the domestic, deserve structured progression through HP, NCL, and DPL. One or two matches are not enough to judge talent. I believe players like me deserve proper evaluation and long-term support.’

‘Many clubs delay payments, which is unfair. Players invest heavily, a bat alone costs over one lakh taka. So the board should look after it,’ he added.

He rued that due to negligence, he was often overlooked, ‘I didn’t have that kind of support or connections, so I couldn’t progress the same way and am still playing First Division.’