In the heat of high voltage FIFA World Cup soccer many sporting events elsewhere in the world are going unnoticed. No other sports, no other events of life can come anywhere near the magnetic appeal that the Greatest Show on Earth World Cup creates in its every visit every four Year.
Recently Planning Minister of Bangladesh and Ex-President BCB Mr AHM Kamal also known as Lotus Kamal has taken over as President of ICC for one year term. Any cricket enthusiast who has the knowledge about how the Presidency rotates among the full member countries of ICC would readily acknowledge that there is no additional credit or achievement of Mr Kamal in attaining this position.
In the recent past BCCI, PCB Presidents also served their term. BCB had to come to some short of understanding with PCB in attaining this position when Mr Kamal was BCB President. Without undermining any contribution of any of the past and present President of BCB we must acknowledge that in Bangladesh one does not necessarily need having much cricket background and knowledge to occupy the chair of BCB.
The prime requirement is loyalty to the government of day. The reason of writing this as a cricket enthusiast and life time well-wisher of Bangladesh cricket is that Mr Kamal after returning from ICC meeting has made some remarks about Bangladesh Cricket and Cricketers in General that has hurt the cricket community of Bangladesh. It has also exposed his shallow knowledge about the role and responsibility of ICC President.
We all know Bangladesh Cricket is going through a very critical time in its history now. Continued abysmal and diabolic performance of Bangladesh team has raised the many questions about the credibility of Bangladesh retaining membership in the elite family of world cricket. In this situation every person connected with cricket must show prudence and must not talk or act in any way which further hurt the greater interest of Bangladesh Cricket. As an important member of Bangladesh Cabinet and Member of Bangladesh Parliament he can always raise issues of his concern in discussion with present BCB president who incidentally like him an elected member of parliament. But why as ICC president he should tell media things like Cricketers are busy in shooting for advertisement and not committing for cricket?
Why he should say Bangladesh cricket is suffering from favoritism, nepotism and so on? Even if these have solid basis these can be discussed at appropriate level and actions taken depending on the credibility of his allegations. He also said, his job is limited to presiding ICC meetings and handing over trophies. Cannot someone question his depth of knowledge and intelligence about the very important role and responsibility of ICC president? The very important ICC world Cup Cricket is going to be held in Australia and New Zealand during his tenure. Unlike the few controversies of that event held last time in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka under his Presidency of BCB he will have lessons to learn how Australia and New Zealand board organize the event with complete transparency and accountability?
Whether anyone make any irritating speech in the opening ceremony like he did last time in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister and dignitaries from participating countries.
Did not he make full of himself? He said, as ICC president he will have little say about Bangladesh Cricket. He has not possibly read the script correctly. He will have to look after the interest of entire cricket world including Bangladesh.
The very controversial matter of three boards of India, Australia and England dominating the world cricket will also be a major issue over the next year or so. The return of International cricket to Pakistan and further advancing cricket in associate member countries will also be an important agenda. Mr Kamal you have many tasks at hand. It is not merely presiding over ICC meetings. You will be required to give decisions as well. Are you ready for these?
Regarding his allegations of Bangladesh Cricket and Cricketers as appeared in Bangladesh media it will be only justified that BCB takes this up in their Executive Committee meeting. Bangladesh Cricket Players Association must also respond. Cricket is played like any other profession.
Like any professionals playing to their potential and giving their best to achieve desired professional acumen is the prime responsibility of the cricketers. What they do in private life is not at all any ones concern as long as they perform. If they fail they must not play as simple as that. Professional Cricketers all over the world are involved in commercial advertisement.
Bangladesh is no exception. We have seen Dhaka and Chittagong city streets flooded with banners and posters of the new ICC president during the ICC world cup arranged in Bangladesh.
He has to prove how Bangladeshi cricketers having involved in advertisement have affected the performance. His other allegation regarding favoritism and nepotism in team selection must also be seriously looked into asking him to provide basis of the allegations.
The media reported statement of the new ICC president has created bad breath and exposed the unhealthy environment prevailing in Bangladesh cricket. Blaming cricketers alone cannot be the strategy.
We must not forget, it is the performance of our cricketers and dedication of several persons working from behind the scene which have brought Bangladesh Cricket to this level. It is for the achievement of our cricketers in the recent past Bangladesh is admired as roaring tigers in Cricket community. At the critical hour of Bangladesh all must work unitedly to resolve many issues those are impeding our cricket.
We must not act irresponsibly or talk like novice to further hurt cricket. Sorry Mr Kamal as one of the early bird in the Bangladesh cricket Community I cannot congratulate you whole heartedly on your achieving ICC Presidency.
BDST: 1248 HRS, JUL 03, 2014
