For those wondering about Akbar Ali, who led Bangladesh to victory in the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, the 23-year-old batter made a statement in the ongoing NCL T20 on Sunday as his blistering half-century helped table-toppers Rangpur Division chase down a challenging 190-run target against Rajshahi Division in Sylhet.

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS), Najmul Hossain Shanto was not among the big runs, but Sabbir Hossain stepped up with a 52-ball 73 to help Rajshahi post an imposing total of 189 for eight. However, as this tournament has shown, big chases are becoming a reality.

In reply, Rangpur's 33-year-old opener Tanbir Hayder gave them a solid start with a 45-ball 71, setting the stage for captain Akbar's dazzling innings – a 29-ball 68, which included four fours and six sixes.

After his knock, Akbar emphasised the importance of focusing on performances rather than age.

"Whoever performs, whether senior or junior, the focus should be on them. Experience obviously matters, but what's important is quality. I feel sometimes we over-emphasise experience," Akbar said.

Meanwhile, at Sylhet Academy Ground (SAG), quality and experience also combined for Dhaka Metro as they secured a 19-run win over Dhaka Division, who were restricted to 171 for eight, courtesy of medium pacer Anisul Islam's four-for. This followed Naim Sheikh's 54-ball 69 and Shamsur Rahman's 22-ball 43, which took Metro to 190 for seven.

In the second game at SICS, Chattogram Division's Tamim Iqbal's 54-ball 91 against Barishal Division went in vain as Salman Hossain and Iftekhar Hossain both struck fifties to help Barishal chase down Chattogram's 182 for seven in a last-ball finish. With 25 runs needed off the final over, Salman hit Ifran Hossain for three sixes and two boundaries – one in the last ball with two needed – to seal a thrilling victory.

Salman screams in delight after leading Barishal to a thrilling win against Chattogram in NCL T20 in Sylhet on December 15, 2024. Photo: NCL

The afternoon game at SAG saw Sylhet defeat Khulna by six wickets while chasing 145, riding on Jishan Alam's 48-ball 73, which featured four boundaries and six maximums. The 20-year-old Jishan now leads the run-scoring charts after four matches, with an average of 51 and a strike rate of 160.63, weighing in on the notion that quality alone, not age, matters as Bangladesh looks to unearth and nurture emerging T20 talents.