Dhaka Division has almost confirmed the longer version trophy in Ispahani Mirzapore National League 2001-2002. Their nearest opponent Rajshahi Division is still 14 points behind and is virtually waiting for to be content with securing the second position.

This year (The 3rd National League) speaks for Dhaka Division for the first time in the 3-year history of National League. They were favorites in the last two Leagues (The squads were star stuffed), but unfortunately couldn't bring off success, not even a runner up trophy.

This year comes up with odds in their favor and they won matches quite relentlessly, claiming crushing victories over others. They faced some setbacks in the limited over matches, which nearly got them out of the race. There is a different rule this year – two trophies are allocated for the game's two versions. So there will be two champions – champions of the longer version and champions of the shorter one. So, Dhaka have to be pleased with the 4-day match trophy.

If Dhaka stands first in the 4-day matches, Barisal Division are running their worst performance in both versions (They got no point from any version). The squad lacks motivation and skilled players. From the starting of this year Barisal was incapable of arranging their side in a befitting manner. The only batsman they have was opener Hannan Sarkar, who is now playing for Bangladesh-A in the Busta Cup Trophy running in West Indies.

Sanwar Hossain (Flop in Bangladesh-Pakistan series) was included in the Barisal Division considering its wretched condition, even though his hometown is in Dhaka. However, the inclusion of Sanwar couldn't change anything except that he was getting runs consistently.

Mohammed Rafique, the left-arm spinner played 23 ODI for Bangladesh, topped in the highest wicket taker list (42 wickets) in the 4-dayers playing for Dhaka Division. It is worth mentioning that Rafique was ruled out for home Test series both against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Minhajul Abedin carried out a memorable year in his long cricket career playing for Chittagong. Pushing everyone down the table this 36-year old ace batsman hammered brilliant scintillating knocks in almost every match he played; thus claiming himself as the highest run getter (961 runs from 14 innings averaging 80.08). We saw 2 double hundreds this year so far – the owner of the first one is Khaled Masud (201 not out) and Minhajul saw the other (210). Nuruzzaman Nayan from Rajshahi hit the mark with his bat very well. He is posted just after Minhajul Abedin in the top-ten batsmen list in the longer version.

Chittagong division was unfortunate to get left-arm Enamul Haque back in the squad late due to his National Team schedule, as Enamul picked up 15 wickets from the pair of matches he played (Last year he took highest 57 wickets).

Rajshahi squad carried off in the limited over matches under skipper Khaled Masud, topped with 12 points so far. Sylhet is just behind claiming 10 points.

© CricInfo