Cricket admirers of Bangladesh fail to understand the logic behind BCB ignoring one of its most successful bowlers Abdur Razzak from international cricket.

He is only 32 and still bowling well in domestic cricket. He is not recovering from any injury or no major fitness problem has been reported.

Still why BCB has kept doors shut for his return to international cricket? If asked BCB selectors will tell he can come back if he performs well in domestic cricket. He is doing that. Still the ice is not melting.

Naturally question arises about the mystery of not considering a highly talented and the most experienced international bowler in international cricket. No form issue, no fitness issue, no disciplinary issue. Still he is not considered.

Razzak until the recent past was one of the major weapon in Bangladesh bowling armory especially in limited over format. He even opened the bowling on occasions and on many occasions bowled within the first ten overs. He was equally effective in the death overs. He was a bit out of form in some matches.

But that happens to any player at any stage of their career. But he is playing regularly in domestic cricket in all formats and is among the highest wicket takers. Then why he is not picked in the squad? Why he is not even considered for high performance squad?

Razzak is a left arm spinner and is a wicket taking bowler. In recent time Bangladesh has found some quality left arm spinners in Arafat Sunny and Taizul Islam. But no one has still reached the level of expertise at Razzak.

Spin bowlers matures with age and experience. Razzak at 32 is definitely the most matured spinner and deserves return to international cricket.

Shane Warne, Muttaiah Muralidharan bowled better and better as they matured. Razzak has still at least another 5 years quality cricket left in him. We hope ignoring him is not anything other than his cricket ability.

We were a little bit surprised not finding him in the world cup squad in Australia and New Zealand. In Melbourne we had opportunity to discuss cricket during the world cup with Aminur Rahman Bulbul, Omar Khaled Rumi, and ATF Yazdani.

They all agreed with me that Razzak was missed in Bangladesh bowling line up even in World Cup. Rubel, Mashrafee and Taskin were bowling well and Shakib was backing them up. But fifth bowling option was poor. Neither Sunny nor Taijul could make any impression.

We thought Razzak would be brought back in the team in the Pakistan series. But unfortunately that did not happen. Bangladesh could white wash Pakistan in ODI and won the lone T20 basically on their excellent batting skill.

Mashrafee and Taskins were bowling well. The bowling limitation was badly exposed in two tests when leading spinner Shakib struggled and the support bowlers in absence of Mashrafee, Taskin were not up to the mark.

India is much settled team and possess the strongest batting line up. All players are highly skilled in dealing with spin bowling. Against them not playing a high quality experienced spin bowler like Razzak, will be a huge strategic mistake.

Less experienced spinners can do nothing against likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinka Rahane, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. All the pressure will be on Shakib to shoulder additional responsibility and if for any reason he fails to perform Bangladesh will be chasing leather in most matches.

Let us do a credibility check. Is Razzak injured or has injury problem? The answer is no .He is regularly playing domestic cricket in all formats .He is also leading his team and playing in longer formats without any complain. Has his form declined?  No, he is among the top wicket taker and still appears as match winner. Does he have any disciplinary issue? Definitely not .If that was the case he would have been barred from appearing in domestic cricket.

Then why such a player is being constantly ignored? In the past almost all star players of the past had such poor treatment at the end of their career.

Minhazul Abedin, Aminul Islam, Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique all had sad end of their illustrious international career.

Razzak bowls left arm orthodox spin and has great control on his line and length. He had his debut in Bangladesh national team for the 2004 Asia CupOne Day International tournament, against Hong Kong in July. He established himself as a regular fixture in the squad although he was not a regular in the starting eleven. He made his Test debut in the second Test of the Australian tour of Bangladesh in April 2006. Though he has played just nine Tests, he has been more successful in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and until recently was Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in the format. He is the first Bangladeshi to take 200 wickets in ODI.

For his greater control and accuracy he used to bowl in the initial overs and even open the attack. He bowled regularly in the batting power play and death overs. He used to be ideal foil for Shakib and appeared with many match winning performances. Bangladesh will definitely miss him in the upcoming series against India.

BDST: 0859 HRS, MAY 29, 2015
AKA