BCB is responsible for the planning, development and operation of Cricket in Bangladesh. But other than committing most of their time and resources are they doing enough for domestic cricket organization and development? What about regular organization of major leagues and tournaments? What about age group cricket? School Cricket or College cricket? What about development squad? What Bangladesh gains from BPL? Why cricket in other districts have almost become nonexistent? Is BCB is meant for organizing international events only? How many players of international standard Bangladesh has produced over a decade? Why Bangladesh could not climb even a step up from its rock bottom position of ICC ranking in all form of cricket? Has anyone in BCB done any soul searching?
Bangladesh is yet to win any test match so far against a full strength full member team other than Zimbabwe and under strength West Indies. The present team has remote possibility of winning any test in near future. They will even struggle against new look Zimbabweans. The recent performances evidence that even in ODI and T20 we have declined to rock bottom. We will now struggle to beat ICC associate member like Ireland and Netherlands. The way things are shaping up we may soon struggle to beat even Afghanistan or Nepal even.
The present BCB directors and officials are no strangers. Most of either represented Bangladesh in international cricket or are involved in cricket organization for a long time. But why they are not doing enough to set the root of cricket deeper? One of main reason may be there is no accountability. The planning and development of Cricket in domestic front is very weak. There is no monitoring and evaluation. Can BCB say how many districts in Bangladesh organize league regularly? What happens to national cricket Championship? How many schools in Bangladesh have proper cricket playing facilities?
We knew that there was once inter school, inter college and inter university competitions. National championship involving districts, universities and service organizations used to attract lot of enthusiasm. There were local sponsors. Now other than Dhaka even Chittagong Cricket is crawling. In the 1970s and 1980s Comilla, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Sylhet, Narayanganj used to be major centers of Cricket. Now how many of these districts even see competitive cricket being regularly played? Why a very good Cricket Stadium in Bogra named after a valiant freedom fighter not often chosen for international matches? Why a newly built cricket stadium in Sylhet witnessed a boundary wall collapse?
We like to ask BCB who will make the overall plan to revitalize our domestic cricket? Money and sponsors are not a problem for Bangladesh cricket. They are the richest board as far as Bangladesh sports bodies are concerned. Still there is very little coordination among the cricket officials. Everyone seems to be busy for one’s own agenda. Bangladesh has performed pathetically poor over the last few months in international cricket. This happened after the commendable performance at home against international team. Still we have not found much concern among BCB policy makers and officials.
Has anyone tried to assess the performance of Bangladesh team objectively? Why the same set of players has suddenly started underperforming? In home condition, known surrounding why their performance suddenly dipped? Should the responsibility be plainly put on the players or coaching staff alone? Or there has been a major problem with the entire BCB way of handling matters? Who in BCB is responsible for players conduct? Has he managed his role properly? How the matter with star player like Shakib-al-Hasan developed so sour? Why players can be handled more professionally? BCB took a hurried decision recently of disciplining Shakib without even following the right procedure. Was Ashraful alone involved in match fixing? Why he alone was made scapegoat?
We do not want to question honesty and integrity of BCB officials though there are certain grey areas. We hope they have accountability somewhere? If Politics takes over quality and commitment in cricket organization Bangladesh cricket will never come out of the present slump.
Bangladesh in our opinion gained hardly anything from BPL. We tried to follow the footprint of BCCI and IPL. The match fixing intruded into our cricket. One of Bangladesh star cricketer Ashraful became the causality. Bangladesh even used Indian company as event manager. Franchises earned bad names as defaulters in making payments to players. BPL might have benefitted a vested quarter involved in Bangladesh cricket but it actually stabbed Bangladesh cricket in the back. Instead if the local sponsors would have spent the time and money in organization of local cricket at least few more players would have emerged.
We have learned that player officials’ relation has deteriorated to all time low. Not only Shakib, Captain Mushfique on a number of occasion spoke out of his mind. BCB possibly does not appreciate cricket will only flourish if only players perform. Why Coaches and Coaching staffs have to leave before completing their contract? Who frustrates them? How continuity can me maintained? How consistency can be achieved?
BCB must create and maintain a congenial atmosphere and environment for the cricketers to put in their best. But we are very much aware that no such environment prevails now. Players in general feel insecure for high handedness of certain BCB officials.
Bangladesh Cricket is going through a crisis period. All involved with cricket including the sponsors and well-wishers must now come together and work hand in hand to bail cricket out of present situation. We were involved in the infancy of Bangladesh Cricket. We know most of cricket personalities who were involved at early stage of Bangladesh cricket are not even given their due respect. We hope before Bangladesh cricket sinks further good senses will prevail and BCB would seek whole hearted cooperation of greater cricket community.
BDST: 1310 HRS, JUL 16, 2014
