Any sensible and plain thinking admirers of Bangladesh Cricket have reasons to get concerned and anxious at the recent unhealthy and unwarranted developments in domestic cricket of Bangladesh. Controversial club official made very indecorous remarks alleging the integrity and inefficiency of BCB President and some officials. His remarks breached the boundary limit of decency and politeness and invited sharp but not unavoidable backlash. BCB management, club officials’ forum, Umpires association, players association responded strongly. Some decisions suggesting punitive action against the club official is on the verge of implementation.  Such a hurriedly taken immature action from panicked cricket administration at a very critical time of Bangladesh Cricket is bound to make internal bleeding. Bangladesh team is getting ready for participating in the most prestigious cricket event ICC World Cup 2015 scheduled for Australia New Zealand in February March 2015.

There were some talks in cricket cycle about mismanagements and some allegations of misuse of office of certain controversial persons for some time. Even the BCB president made some very sensitive remarks about running of affairs of cricket administration. He was straight forward in making statement. What he said if summed up sounds like: A vested quarter created mess in Bangladesh Cricket. It is time to wipe them out.

While talking to cricketer friends of yesteryears and some leading cricket personalities of Bangladesh this writer got an insight into cricket affairs. A certain section was allegedly squeezing benefits illegally from all activities of cricket. Club politics always work as incurable cancer in Bangladesh cricket. Exploiting political advantage, certain club always tries to manipulate decisions in their favor by adopting all kinds of foul means. These are open secret. When these happened in 1970s and 1980s these did not matter much other than delaying graduation of Bangladesh cricket to world level. But Bangladesh now playing in the top league of world cricket cannot afford to exercise and entertain these nuisances.

Whether or not the allegations raised by a controversial club official has any basis must also be independently investigated apart from taking strong actions against the persons concerned for bringing cricket into disrepute.

Cricket admirers have right to know whether some ugly persons are trying to illegally manipulate the domestic cricket matches? Whether the selection of umpires for matches is manipulated in ulterior motive to favor some clubs and target certain others? Whether unsocial elements create issues in cricket ground? Our leading cricketers are playing in different teams as an essential step of preparation for World Cup. Present storm of controversy is bound to affect them. Cricket community is clearly divided into two or more conflicting camps. One group may try to harm others sitting inside the glass house. It will not bring ultimate benefit to anyone. Rather it will ultimately hurt the national interest, cause irreversible damage to Bangladesh Cricket.

Considering the time and challenges of Bangladesh cricket it is definitely undesirable and unwarranted. This may soon attract the attention of crickets governing body and may not remain as an internal matter. As a well-wisher of Bangladesh Cricket like to appeal to all concerned to exercise restraint. Senior Cricketers and Cricket administrators of yesteryears must come forward to discuss about the impending crisis and resolve the dispute through discussions. Let us be fair, honest and transparent in all matters of Bangladesh Cricket.

BDST: 1400 HRS, DEC 10, 2014