DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Selection committee allegedly dictated and pushed has announced 14-member squad for the test series against Australia.
The heated debated decision is discarding automatic choices prolific top order batsman Mominul Haque and tried and tested veteran Mahmudullah. Nasir Hossain deserved his position back on his own merit.
The squad:
Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
The team has four opening batsman-- Tamim, Imrul, Soumya and Liton. Three players Nasir, Sabbir and Mosaddek for the same position number six.
Mominul arguably the best number three test batsman who was blossoming has been ignored. Mahmuduallh who along with Tamim, Shakib and Mushfiq was the backbone of the Bangladesh batting was overlooked.
The explanation of indifferent form of Mominul is unacceptable. Even in the parties match in Chittagong a few days back he was the highest scorer among the batsman of both the team. He has talent, skill and temperament to grow like Kane Willamson, Joe Root and Cheteswar Pujara. His appearance in test cricket was,” VINI< VICI< VIDI.” That cannot go on forever. By his performance alone he established his position in the team as automatic choice.
He might have shown some weakness against a particular type of bowling. But it is the job of head coach mentoring him. Did he do that? The omission of Mominul in home series against Australia is unacceptable. By doing that the selection committee has not even favored those who have been favored over the POCKET ROCKET.
Mahmudullah has been maltreated in the team for a while as part of SENIORS CLEANSING mission of a controversial person. He has been made to bat in different positions from 3 to 7 at free sweet will. Yet he appeared with sterling performances.
What a brilliant century he made against the Kiwis in the recent Champions trophy. He was undoubtedly the best Bangladesh batsman in the ICC World Cup 2015.
He is not yet finished. Against Australia Bangladesh required his experience. Bangladesh will miss him.
The selection controversy has been going along since one Mr Hathurusingha having very ordinary test career and not very coaching record came to Bangladesh as head coach. He started by passing the selection committee and cricket operation director and set up short circuit with senior policy maker in team selection and other matters.
No cricket of any country enjoys almost exclusive authority what he does. His regular interference in the process led to inclusion of the coach in the selection committee. The careers of veteran Abdur Razzak got curtain too early, Anamul Huq, Shahriar Nafees, Naeemul Islam were forgotten. Young upcoming Juabyer and Al Amin were lost. Talented Nasir Hossain had to go through a spell of mishandling.
Hathurusingha is in a mission against established players Mashrafe, Mahmudullah, Mushfiq and Tamim. In that mission he could manage to see Mashrafe quitting T20 international a bit unceremoniously. He is almost done with Mahmudullah’s test career.
I do not think Soumya is a right choice over Mominul in the squad. Hazelwood and Bird will exploit his corridor of uncertainty. What happens if he fails? Will he be discarded?
We heard talented Mosaddek has eye problem. Why he was insisted despite of recalling Nasir in the team?
Even then would hope Bangladesh plays well and gives Kangaroos a real taste of Tigers ferocity.
BDST: 0908 HRS, AUG 20, 2017
SI
