The truce between agitated cricket players and BCB appeared to have died after three days face off following submission of 11+2 =13 points demand. The feuding parties locked horns for an apparent deadlock. With very important India tour knocking at the door none less than sports loving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina interfered. She called BCB President in her office and advised her to settle the dispute stating her moral support for players demand.

On the other hand she advised players returning immediately to playground. All thought that matters would settle towards amicable settlement. But some incidents which followed made all now think that the curious cases have led to the disaccord into a never ending episode. 

Star Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal suddenly announced his intention for skipping the tour on the plea of staying beside his second baby expectant wife.  It is not illogical for an international cricketer doing that. Some leading international players in the past have done this.  But such cases in most cases led to players missing out from one or two matches and not the entire series. Tamim is an experienced campaigner and one of the indispensable members of the team for playing against strong Indian team in India. His last stage intention of skipping the entire series would definitely adversely affect team combination. Tamim skipped earlier the home series against Afghanistan and the triangular tournament at home. He was allowed to rediscover his form after ordinary performance in CWC2019 and tour matches against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.

The matter that is most worrying is the smoke created around star all-rounder T20 and test captain Shakib Al Hasan. He led the apparent players’ revolt against BCB. After the apparent truce BCB again locked into dispute raising a claim that Shakib appearing in a commercial advertisement for a cell phone company was allegedly a breach of contract with the board. He was issued a show cause notice which Shakib announced to respond. Players returned for practice and appeared in warm up matches. But Shakib did not participate. This earned displeasure of BCB boss and he lashed out his usual angry response.

It is not the first time Shakib did this. Few times in the past he skipped important international commitments, skipped training session. He often even did not accompany the team in the flight. We remember he even did not appear in the photo session with the CWC 2019 bound players. BCB let him do this. Media often criticized this attitude of Shakib. But the latest episode is being viewed differently as the impasse in cricket appears to have been dragged on. BCB boss Nazmul Hasan MP still smells conspiracy. He thinks a quarter is trying to let India tour run into crisis.
 
In the present unpalatable situation it is almost impossible to guess whether there would be rain or sunshine in Bangladesh cricket soon. But like the present cloudy autumn sky cricket environment appears to have been dragged into uncertainty. India tour at this stage is extremely challenging for any cricket team. Bangladesh even with top form and fitness would find it extremely difficult confronting all guns blazing team India in India. 

With very low morale Bangladesh team may have to experience extremely critical situation. Hope the cloud gathering around Shakib would be cleared soon. Without Shakib Bangladesh may not even create any contest. But we must not also let any player whatever talented he might be play hide and seek. No individual is above the national interest, nation’s pride. We do not want any player to be victimized but at the same time none remains indispensable for ever. Let there be justice done. Hope good senses would prevail. 

BCB or Shakib should not have chosen the time for creating and spreading the dispute. BCB boss instead of making repeated arrogant statements in media should have showed discretion.

We hope for the greater national interest all must come to the same page. Let Bangladesh fly out with it’s A team and deliver A games in the India tour. A good competitive performance would help settle all disputes.

BDST: 1000 HRS, OCT 29, 2019
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