Multidimensional impacts of COVID-19 avalanche has evidenced that for post COVID recovery every sector would require very well planned and well managed execution by specialist and professionals.
COVID 19 like all other activities has stalled cricket world. Many bilateral series of FTP has been suspended, some global events like World T20 scheduled in October in Australia, Women’s ODI championship in New Zealand in early 2021 and even T20 world cup in India in 2021 have become uncertain. ICC has formulated few guidelines for players to observe when it becomes business as usual in World Cricket. These are not yet approved. However, we observed mixed reactions from players. Whatever be the case world post COVID 19 will be very different .The activities planned and managed by skilled and efficient professionals would survive in very competitive world. Every penny would needs to be spend with extreme care. Sporting activities of Bangladesh in general and cricket in particular would require to be managed by knowledgeable professionals. Cricket must be planned and managed by persons having proven background as players, club organizers and knowledge about managing foreign coaching staff . On top of that BCB officials would to have demonstrate transparency and integrity in running of the affairs .
From a state in post liberation in 1970s ( struggling for existence ) cricket has reached the present position of the most popular sports in Bangladesh for supreme sacrifice and honest endeavors of cricket community ( dedicated cricket officials , local coaches and first generation Bangladesh Cricketers . Paltu Bhai, Damal Bhai, Makhon Bhai, Reza Bhai, RoisBhai , Bahauddin , Cesar , AshrafulHaq , Tanvir Mazhar , KZ Islam Tanvir Hayder , Bazlur Rashid , Altaf , Saber Chowdhury , Chand Khan , Jalal Chowdhury are few names which straight away comes to mind . These persons all dedicated their sincerest efforts first in setting the roots of cricket in Bangladesh , then earning recognition of ICC and advancing in phases . Some local coaches and BKSP contributed immensely for producing international quality players like Mashrafe, Shakib, Mushfique , Tamim, Mahmudullah. Bangladesh earned some historic victories against almost all the teams of the world . Even the Bangladesh women team won the Championship in Asia Region, Under 19 team won world championship. But in 20 years since achieving test status Bangladesh could to develop a consistently performing test team. For very poorly organized domestic first class cricket there is not enough international quality players in the pipeline . Very expensive high profile coaching staff are recruited . We are not very sure the BCB management is competent or capable for monitoring or evaluating their performances. Consequently the exit of most of the international head coaches are always bitter.
There is also no plan for developing skills of local coaches , umpires. Local cricket is played on substandard surfaces which are not conducive for producing quality international players for making Bangladesh competitive against major team on tour in their countries . The only tournament of note is BPL against which there are allegations of match fixing . Many would say huge money and energy are wasted . Most of these if were directed on improving facilities of local cricket grounds could bring more dividends. All these contribute to Bangladesh staying at 9th position in test , 7th in ODI and 8th in T20 in the ICC ranking. If managed professionally by committed professionals of integrity Bangladesh could be among top 5 in all three formats by now given the popularity of the game. One of the BCB director is now in Jail on allegations of setting up Casino business illegally in major club , another one has allegation of money siphoning. There are also many other allegations about misappropriations of BCB fund and wastages through lavish spending.
As pointed out already sports ministry and senior policy makers must monitor and audit the activities of BCB for creating transparency . Post COVID19 BCB and Cricket administration must be truly professional. Cricket must be completely decentralized and domestic cricket format must be overhauled . If these are not done we are afraid Bangladesh cricket may not win any matches in international cricket for a while when in three to four years or so Shakib , Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah leave one by one.
BDST: 1300 HRS, JUN 02, 2020
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