The hotly debated BCB hurried and according to many harsh actions against Bangladesh Cricket all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan is taking twists and turns.
BCB with plutonic speed announced actions against Shakib following his alleged departure for West Indies for playing in CPL without formal NOC. He was alleged to have informed about his intention of retiring from representing Bangladesh in international cricket. Shakib was summoned back to Bangladesh which he duly obliged.
But after his return without issuing any formal show cause notice or giving him enough opportunity to explain his position. BCB in hurriedly arranged EC Meeting took a decision of banning him from all form of cricket for six months and debarring him from playing in any foreign cricket league till December 2015. He was also advised to take prior approval before appearing in any commercial advertisement. BCB has so many other pressing issues of greater national interest which they are hibernating on for indefinite period. But the Shakib matter was attended at electrifying speed. BCB President appeared furious in post meeting discussion with media where his tone had a feeling of personal vendetta against Shakib. Among others he mentioned Shakib’s continued attitude problem has started getting infectious and affecting few other players of the team. This had hastened BCB in taking prompt action. Shakib served punishment term for also all his past mistakes and those were done and dusted.
Whether or not the latest episode deserved such a harsh punishment, was questioned in every quarter. Print, electronic, social media witnessed debates between Shakib fans and his critics. Ex Cricketers and cricket personalities of the past living in different countries now also appeared with their strong reservations. Shakib’s admirers took the matter to the street. Genuine cricket lovers were shocked and awed at the sudden actions but they also questioned Shakib’s attitude problem which also damaged his reputation as sporting idol for Bangladesh. Many suggested that Shakib requires counseling to change is attitude an unconditional apology from him for his antics with a guarantee that he will avoid creating such controversy in future. We know how CA dealt with Shane Warne,
Denniss Lillee, and ECB handled Ian Botham, and West Indies board handled Brian Lara and Chris Gayle. Bangladesh rarely gets a cricketer of the quality of Shakib and hence BCB as his guardian could have shown better discretion in handing its difficult child.
Anyway, the action has already soured the environment in BCB. Many raised genuine question whether BCB is competent for managing the present all round crisis of Bangladesh Cricket? Do they have transparency and accountability in operations? Are they steering Bangladesh Cricket in the right direction? Are everything done democratically in BCB? Many allegations against BCB activities are floating in the air? Critics are raising issues of integrity and honesty in financial matters, biasness in team selection , ineptness in player management etc, etc , etc.
But anyway finally Shakib appearing in BCB is reported to have applied for reconsidering his punishment. The exact test of his application is not made public. But coming out from BCB he read out a written statement to media. He said if his actions harmed BCB and Bangladesh Cricket he felt genuinely sorry and sad. He begged apology of the nation. He also said it is extremely painful for him to stay out of cricket. He represented Bangladesh from his teens using BCB logo and he feels proud of that possession. The fact that he realized that no individual is above the country and the nation sounds good.
Bangladesh cricket is passing through a serious crisis. Even with Shakib in the team there is hardly any guarantee that the team will come out of the deep hole too soon. West Indies tour is looming, Zimbabwe team will come to Bangladesh in October. Then Bangladesh will have to prepare for all Important ICC world cup 2015 scheduled to be held in Australia, New Zealand next year.
As Shakib has atoned for his ego problem and realizing his mistakes have asked for relaxation of punishment let him pay a sizeable penalty and serve a token penalty of one test and one to two ODI. Let him be available for the rest of the West Indies series and home series against Zimbabwe. He must not play in other leagues till Bangladesh completes its participation in ICC world cup. Shakib should give an unconditional guarantee that he will stay away from all antics in future. Perhaps he will need counseling by expert counselor for changing his attitude.
With Shakib episode resolved Government must seriously look into BCB malfunctioning. The Selection Committee and BCB cricket operations committee are not functioning well. There have been several allegations of biasness against Chief Selector and Director Cricket Operations Committee. Their keens are biasedly privileged. Before these grow into chronic disease these must be cured. But for the time being we want to see Shakib episode amicably resolved to the best interest of Bangladesh Cricket.
BDST: 1111 HRS, JUL 21, 2014
