DHAKA: Top quality but inconsistent performance of Mashrafe-led Team Tigers over the last 18 months in world stage has changed the minnow tag. Bangladesh in world cricket is admired as a team capable of winning matches in limited over cricket against any team.
The position that Bangladesh Cricket team has attained because of exceptional performances of some exceptionally talented individuals combined to team efforts have necessitated a fresh look at the cricket administration, management, above all country’s cricket structure.
The introduction of total professionalism, corporate culture is the demand of time and circumstance. The statement quoting President BCB in a media about Nasir Hossain a member of Bangladesh squad of T20 world cup amply demonstrates that top management is not behaving professionally and responsibly. BCB president talked about indiscipline and private life of the player. If his observation is correct the player and if it affected his performance he should not have been included in the team. The squad was approved by BCB board of directors and endorsed by the president. Any statement of the president now sounds like double standard.
Bangladesh in Asia cup played wonderfully winning against Sri Lanka and Pakistan before losing to eventual champion India. Nasir only appeared in the final where he had not much opportunity to contribute. Bangladesh had mixed success in T20 World Cup. They stormed into the main round. Played like roaring tigers against Australia and India but played extremely poorly against Pakistan and New Zealand. Two key players Taskin and Sunny got reported for suspect bowling actions and were later suspended after tests. The body language of the team was not positive in all matches and shoulders were found dropping. The absence of Nasir in the team was hotly debated. It is not that there is any dearth of quality cricketers in the country now. Even Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the brilliant budding all-rounder and captain of Under-19, could be ideal choice in the squad. Thinking of the future leadership and creating ideal replacement of leading all-rounder in near future Miraz could be the ideal choice. Even batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto deserves call now.
Mashrafe is holding together the team for his charming personality, graceful and infectious leadership quality. It is only time his physique will cause him quitting. I do not find any in the present team including Shakib, Tamim and Mahmudullah who has all-round ability of replacing Mashrafe.
Tamim, Kayes, Shakib, Mushfique, Mashrafe, Mahmudullah are of the same age group. They may not last much longer than 2019 world cup. Bangladesh must develop players from the pipeline and try to groom future leader under shadow of Mashrafe and Mushfique. The depth and diversity in the pipeline can only be created through better organized domestic cricket structure and better managed age-group cricket. But it seems that BCB is more interested about international cricket.
There is little or no contribution of BCB in finding Mustafiz, Soumya and few other exceptional recent talents. If we had properly structured domestic cricket and well looked after player sourcing and management few other talented players could have graced our cricket arena by now. We are competing with England, Australia and India now. But we can no way match with the professional infrastructure of those countries.
Three talented ex-cricketers and captains are the selectors now. But, there are evidences and confirmations that selectors are strongly influenced in selecting squads. Director (Cricket Operations) is completely ignored. Some persons in team management in unholy alliance with top management call shots.
Lack of far reaching sight has shadowed a high quality left arm spinner Abdur Razzak. Few players like Naeem Islam, Jahurul Islam, Ziaur Rahman are almost forgotten. Highly talented batsman Mominul is nowhere now. Emerging leg spinner Jubair Hossain Likhon cannot find place. There are talks about an evil syndicate in cricket management whose only aim is to extract benefits from cricket. Time has come to identify the unholy group and overhaul cricket administration. Otherwise, the achievements of cricket cannot be sustained.
No one would suggest for entraining indiscipline in the team. No one should be spared. But no one must be blamed unnecessarily.
In a professional environment everyone knows his role and discharges these clinically. If Nasir is guilty he must quit. But, none should talk irresponsibly. There are so many gossips about the members of BCB. But till these are found right and are responsible for performances of the team no one should bother. But, at the same time leaders must need with personal examples as well.
BDST: 1108 HRS, MAR 28, 2016
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