National Super League Starts

The National Super League 2026 officially kicked off this weekend with opening matches held across multiple venues in Bahrain. The tournament, now in its fourth edition, promises to be the most competitive and expansive season yet.

A total of eight teams are competing this year, an increase from the six teams that participated in the previous season. The expanded format reflects the growing interest in domestic cricket across the Kingdom and the BCF commitment to providing more competitive opportunities for local players.

The opening ceremony featured a special address from BCF President, who highlighted the federation commitment to grassroots development and the importance of the NSL as a pathway for emerging talent to reach the national team setup.

Defending champions Riffa Royals began their campaign with a convincing 42-run victory over Manama Strikers in the opening match at the Bahrain National Cricket Stadium. Captain Ahmed Khan led from the front with a composed 67 off 48 balls, setting a target of 178 that proved too much for the Strikers batting lineup.

In the day second fixture, Muharraq Titans edged out East Riffa Hawks by just 3 runs in a thrilling encounter that went down to the final over. The match showcased the depth of talent in the league, with several players making strong cases for national team selection.

The group stage will run through July, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals scheduled for early August. All matches are being played under floodlights, with fixtures starting at 6:00 PM local time.

BCF has also confirmed that scouts from several international T20 leagues will be attending the later stages of the tournament, providing an additional incentive for players to perform at their best throughout the competition.