After prolonged silence, BCB President has detonated yet another grenade that Captain of Bangladesh in test and T20 Shakib al Hasan and leading pacer Mustafizur Rahman are reluctant for playing test cricket.
As usual surrounded by some known faces that always are seen in media, he tried to use this as an excuse for the miserable performance of Bangladesh against West Indies in test series. It was not unexpected from him. But possibly haze and maze of FIFA World Cup Soccer kept him and others occupied during and after the cricket debacle in West Indies. The comprehensive white wash against West Indies has taken Bangladesh almost to rock bottom of ICC Test Ranking with only Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland below them. We are not sure in foreseeable future Bangladesh can compete and over take any of the other test playing nations.
Taking the statement of BCB President correct may we ask him when he realized this? If he realized this earlier, why he had to replace the most successful test captain Mushfique, the nucleus of Bangladesh batting after South Africa tour when Shakib skipped playing tests? Shakib is top quality matured all rounder. He is at the peak of his career. He is playing Franchise cricket all over the world. Bangladesh plays only few tests from time to time. As such work load on Shakib must not be that much that he would get over stressed from playing tests for Bangladesh. If he really is Bangladesh must not continue with an unwilling horse. BCB failed to grow a shadow of Shakib so far. So Bangladesh without shakib is bound to suffer more. But anyway when with unwilling Shakib Bangladesh is diving deep in test cricket let BCB take decision. We are not sure about Shakib’s own intention. He can retire from test cricket if he wants.
The case is very different for Mustafiz. He is a budding genius. He is a freak bowler who just started blooming. He should not have been blooded too early in all formats. He should have been given three to four years settling into shorter formats and gaining skills and temperament for test cricket. He was too early allowed playing in T20 franchise before he himself knowing about himself. I am not sure he is ready for test cricket yet.
The most important point BCB President raised is that he was talking about three teams for three formats. If it was his realization, who in his Kingdom stopped him from doing that? Why only in Bangladesh 7-8 players appear in all formats? If three to four top players perform Bangladesh remains competitive, if not disaster fall upon them. He talked about Mominul. Rather he has quality to represent in all formats. By squeezing him in Tests only his talent has been under utilized. He is also losing focus.
BCB President must explain why a pipeline of quality cricketers could not be prepared for creating backbone of three teams in three formats? He must explain also where should players out side national team perform to prove their quality? Years after years, Shahriar Nafeez, Tusshar Imran, Naeem, Razzak are performing in domestic cricket. They have class, quality and temperament. But they are not picked for playing tests. The national players do not play longer version cricket at home. They are thrown into test cricket without any preparation at home or abroad. They lose their way trying to play test cricket in T20 or ODI mode.
Cricket analysts all along are talking about improving quality of domestic cricket, playing on better surfaces, under neutral supervision. They are always talking about quality age group cricket, keeping development squad ready for filling into the shoes of senior cricketers. But none pays heed.
The fabulous Five – Mashrafee, Shakib, Mushfique, Tamim and Mahmudullah are playing together for 8-10 years. None have grown beside them to challenge their position. Hence they can care less . Even if they fail matches after matches there is no way replacing them.
In recent times, Soumya, Shabbir, Mominul, Mosaddeque, Nazmul emerged. But they are not properly nursed. At this level, no one can teach them cricket. They need mentoring for developing mental toughness, changing attitudes. These can not be done by Coaches from England, Australia or South Africa. Bangladesh is playing cricket long enough to rely on local coaches. It is not that we do not know the background of persons leading in BCB. Excepting one or two none has the depth of knowledge or honest intention for planning and operation of Cricket in the most professional way.
It is possible to achieve some successes at top level in T20 and ODI but for creating sustainability in test cricket there has to be appropriate system of sourcing quality cricketers and developing them in proper manner. The only area is domestic cricket which is very poor compared with major cricket playing countries.
Test cricket requires patience, fitness, commitment, tenacity and attitude. We are not sure how many in present Bangladesh team have that. Just imagine if Tamim ,Mushfique and Shakib all gets injured when Bangladesh plays the next test series what will happen to Bangladesh .They can not beat Ireland , Zimbabwe and Afghanistan . Before such situation arrives BCB must pull up their shocks and create environment for talent hunting and development in restructured domestic cricket. Let not any contracted player dare say they are reluctant playing any format.
BDST: 1133 HRS, JUL 21, 2018
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