Bangladesh and cricket
Shamsher Chowdhury Dhaka
The state of our cricket is pitiable, to say the least. I had been a cricket player myself. I played cricket at school, college and club level competitions since the mid 50s. To me it appears that in more ways than one the cricket today in Bangladesh has deteriorated, despite the fact that players have more access to modern equipment and other related resources. We have the benefit of an international coach too. The story of Bangladesh and its state of cricket appear to have a similarity with our politics and political culture. Both are absolutely non-professional in all their dimensions. Both suffer from a lack of cooperative spirit and collective thinking. I had been closely watching the team over the past couple of years with great interest. First, let us take the case of captaincy. Captaincy to date has not been able to display any real leadership in and out of the field. Second, most players do not seem to have the minimum level of physical structure required in international level competitions. It may sound somewhat out of place yet we should train and build up at least a group of players having above average height and physical built and extra stamina. It is an absolute necessity particularly in the bowling department. Third, the Cricket Board should also be truly representative in character. It should consist of individuals who have been directly or indirectly associated with cricket for at least a minimum period of over a decade or so. Fourth, the Cricket Board should set up a viable and practical system of award and punishment relating to the performance of individual players. Finally, for the next coming two years or so the Board should arrange more regional and club level games. This in turn will also allow the selectors to look for new talents.
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