Red carpet was rolled out for the cricket heroes World Cup Winning Bangladesh Under 19 cricket team by BCB at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka. As soon as the plane carrying the victorious team landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport colored water salute greeted that aircraft. The players were profusely garlanded. The reception at Airport was brief where all were more keen to be photographed with the trophy leaving the team members in the back rows.  The team was then taken in a motorcade to the well decorated and illuminated National Cricket stadium where thousands of adoring cricket admirers greeted the heroes.

Delighted BCB boss announced his plan with this team pledging to take special care for at least two years keeping them together. He announced forming an under 21 team and announced a monthly remuneration of Tk 1 lakh for each player. He talked about special coaching and mentoring program. Many of the players are from BKSP and some are from some cricket academy. It could be fair if the contribution of persons and organization spotting the talents and nurturing them were recognized.

Teenage tigers made the entire nation proud. Never before any Bangladeshi individually or a team won any world event. Does not matter it be an under 19 event Bangladesh is world champion.  India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies were all there. Akbar and his men richly deserve all accolades. Sports loving Prime Minister announced for a civic reception for the team sometime next week at Suhrawardy Udyan.It was great noting that victorious captain Akbar Ali kept his feet on the ground. The team expected such wild jubilation and spontaneous reactions from the cricket frenzied nation. “We had two days after the match in south Africa. We celebrated. We are back home and deeply appreciate the heartiest reception. It will continue for a while. Then we will be back in business. We are aware of tasks ahead.” He also considered comparing him with former Indian Captain MS Dhoni an exaggeration. “You can not compare one innings of mine with the feat of a great player.” 

It is good that BCB has come up with a plan for the team. It is not only for this team alone BCB should have execute similar plan for the cricket as a whole. In the same breadth BCB boss bitterly criticized Senior Team for their failures in Pakistan. He thought he should continue to interfere with all affairs of the taem from team selection, decision for taking fielding or batting after winning the toss, setting the batting order etc. For these there are assigned persons. If BCB boss is too nosey they cannot work. Moreover, BCB boss does not have a proven track record as a cricket player, coach or manager. He should let devils doing their works.

While BCB is trying to get most of the credit for the world cup win, they must own the failures of the senior teams as well. After the CWC 2019 what BCB did to prepare the team for a very busy 2020? Did they have a plan for the test team? Why the team was sent to India and Pakistan without any preparation at all. These very players despite of very poor domestic infrastructure for longer version cricket achieved marginal success. It was very unkind that senior team returned from Pakistan unnoticed.

BCB as guardian of Bangladesh cricket must treat all its team equally. Some teams will some time return with honors, some teams would not perform. If BCB behaves irrationally the focus will be lost.  Team India got white washed by New Zealand in ODI series. Is BCCI trying to give Kohli and his men lessons?

It is great that BCB had a ready plan for Under 19 team. Side by side they must announce plan how test team can grow and mature? How sporting wickets can be arranged at home venues where our pacers can bowl with comfort and batsmen can prepare better against pacey moving deliveries. In the past two trips BCB could not even negotiate practice matches with BCCI and PCB.  Hope good senses would prevail and cricket will move from here. We must not lose sight that Under 19 cricket and test cricket are two different ball game.  BCB must realize what Akbar Ali realized. While the present team would have two years extensive training, plan should be launched for developing a strong enough Under 19 team for the next world cup right now. Indian leg spinner almost turned the table on Bangladesh. We must hunt for spotting and developing quality leg spinner.

BDST: 1300 HRS, FEB 13, 2020
SMS