Few questions we would like to ask to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following eventful tour to Sri Lanka. Why ace pace bowler Rubel Hossain was not used, even in a single match, in Sri Lanka? Why Mahmudullah was being sent home after first test? Why Miraz was sent home after proving his all-round capability as a high quality all-rounder? What does it mean that Mashrafe retired from T20 captaincy and not from T20 internationals?

Bangladesh has its most successful full tour to any major test playing country. Very few countries have better records of playing in Sri Lanka in the recent past. From that account, drawing Test, ODI and T20 series is definitely a huge achievement.

It is a tradition that appointed selection committee selects the team and team management (Captain, Coach) deal with the selected team. Team manager looks after logistics and administration. Bangladesh may the one and only case where Head Coach and Team Manager rules the roost from dictating selection of team, selecting the playing eleven and even dictating match strategy. BCB President endorses this and too often himself gets involved. In such situation, it is great that players perform and for their contributions team prove competitive.

Rubel Hossain is one of the leading pace bowlers of Bangladesh who is being treated shabbily by team management. He is in and out of the team too often to establish himself in the team. He forced his way into Sri Lanka bound touring squad alongside less experienced pacers purely on merit. Unfortunately, he was not included in tests or ODIs though some pacers were struggling and sent home after ODI series. If that was the intention why, in the first place, was he included in the squad?

Why Mehedi Miraz was sent home and who did it? Who plotted to send Mahmudullah home?  Story goes that BCB President had to intervene in both cases. Why he has to intervene in such cases? Mehedi Miraz is arguably the best budding all-round talent being a brilliant bowler, more than competent batsman and an excellent fielder. Many would say the future potential captain of Bangladesh. Sending him back home was a mistake. Rumour goes that Mashrafe wanted him in the team for first T20 match but was over ruled. His presence in the first T20 could make a difference where Sri Lankan spinners strangled Bangladesh.

Why was there plan to send Mahmudullah back home? Is he not one of the five senior players making major contributions to the present successes of Bangladesh cricket team? Any player can be out of form temporarily. But class cannot be denied. Rumour goes that Mashrafe insisted his stay although again BCB President wanted the credit.

Who initiated the idea that Mashrafe, Tamim and Mushfique no longer fit into Bangladesh T20 team? Is there any quality replacement for their respective position yet? Can anyone bat as opener better than Tamim in any format? Is anyone better technically equipped than Mushfique as a batsman? Has not he shut the mouth of his haters with brilliant wicket keeping?

Mashrafe alone is his comparison. He cannot be compared with anyone ever in Bangladesh cricket. No one has better control, commitment, intelligence than Mashrafe as yet. Moreover, as a captain he is unparallel. World has witnessed how his mates responded to his announcement of retirement (possibly influenced) in the last T20. Everyone committed 100% for his sake. Not to speak of the revolution in facebook, print and electronic media. Even Prime Minister of Bangladesh has requested him reviewing the decision. At this critical juncture of Bangladesh cricket, he must keep leading his team in formats he intends playing.

When the team returned, BCB president was heard saying “Mashrafe has opted to retire as captain from T20 but he has not retired from playing T20I.” We believe he was not talking to minor school children. His statement indirectly evidenced that certain persons influenced emotional Mashrafe into taking hasty decision. Of course, his physical condition over stresses him playing any cricket at all. But as long as he plays he can walk into Bangladesh team in any format. His leadership is infectious. He commands love, respect and obedience of one and all. Perhaps all have read the reactions of Tamim, Mushfique, Mahmudullah, Shakib, Mosaddek and others after his announcement of retirement. Who can be better guide than him for Taskin, Mustafiz, Saifuddin and Miraz?  Bangladesh is still at the rock bottom of T20. For turning around Mashrafe is required there for a while to put all pieces together.

Whatever said, we believe a suffocating environment now exists in Bangladesh Cricket. A certain group is making merry at the cost of players’ achievement. In recent times, even Tamim, Shakib and Musfique expresses discontent in many ways. After all, it’s the players who have taken cricket to the current level. The contributions of Mashrafe, Mushfique, Tamim, Shakib and Mahmudullah must not be forgotten so easily and so early.

BCB President, Head Coach and Team Manager must have defined territory beyond which they must not step out creating confusions.  Bangladesh needs professional cricket administration now of non-controversial persons of proven cricketing background.

BDST: 1027 HRS, APR 08, 2017
SR