Sohel
May 25, 2007, 09:51 PM
Given the quality of our domestic cricket, only those performing in international matches for the BD U-19, U-23, and A sides against quality opposition from other test playing nations should be considered for the senior side if they meet predetermined performance standards. Since it may be better for their confidence levels to face weaker opposition initially, they should debut against the likes of Zimbabwe, Kenya and even Ireland before dealing with the big boys of world cricket.
Predetermined, well-defined, and duly contextualized performance measures also need to be balanced and adjusted according to individual ability and realistic expectations in light of the realities of our domestic cricket. For example, the bar for a Junaid Siddique or Dollar Mahmud needs to be set higher than say, a Nadif Chaudhury or Muhammad Shahzada. Talent and ability need to be specifically defined and measured with regards to 1) natural hand-eye coordination and other bio mechanical attributes; 2) temperament and other psychological attributes; and most importantly, 3) the ability to learn in terms of specific, realistic, achievable and time-phased batting, bowling and fielding performance measures. Needless to say, exceptions to the rule can always be made for genuine talents like Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Muhammad Ashraful Matin, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, and Nafis Iqbal Khan as they have been in the past, but with a degree of sobriety we haven't seen so far from our selectors. We don't want to witness talented young teens like Talha Jubair suffer major setbacks before having the chance to shine anymore.
Players selected through the tougher, better, more reasonable new process should be given a predetermined number of chances to acclimate themselves at the senior level - say, up to 15 ODIs with 3 consecutive appearances and up to 5 test matches with 2 consecutive appearances - tied into a set of predetermined performance measures for each time they take to the field. We should be wise enough to remember that it's not all about the number of matches the individual players play for the senior side, or we have played over the past 7-odd years as a test playing nation for that matter, and must also take into consideration: 1) the sub par quality of our evolving cricket infrastructure; 2) the typically counterproductive and stagnating challenges faced by that infrastructure; and most importantly, 3) the negative impact all of that is bound to have upon our nascent cricket culture. Before measuring the success and failure of its players, BCB must face up to its mission responsibilities, and objectively assess with absolute transparency whether or not it has done its very best to set them up for success.
The long awaited development of a better cricket infrastructure, culminating in well-compensated, well-marketed, and well-merchandized professional teams, each with 1) a nationwide, extensive network of trained talent scouts; 2) state of the art training facilities managed by qualified Australian coaches mentoring locals with the aptitude for coaching; and most importantly, 3) several age-based junior sides will enhance the quality of our domestic cricket and strengthen the overall selection process. BCB has the money and other resources to set up six such professional teams, one in each divisional capital and start the processes without further ado. Cricket has indeed become our only true national pastime. As the less affluent, small town and rural background of our best young cricketers clearly demonstrate, it is no longer the game of the urban, English-medium elite. The professional league must not be dhaka-based anymore if we choose to do right by the tens of millions all over Bangladesh playing cricket and dreaming to become the next Mashrafee, Ashraful, Shakib and Mushfiq hailing respectively from Narail, the Bashabo area in Dhaka, Magura and Bogura.
The unrivaled popular passion for cricket will guarantee the easy availability of corporate sponsors to cover any financial shortfall. Also a separate cable TV channel, dedicating itself to the sustainable development of cricket in Bangladesh should be set up by BCB and its strategic allies to broadcast all games, and cricket-education programs from all over the cricket world.
It is a fact that Muhammad Sharif performed well in domestic cricket. The comparatively poor quality of our domestic cricket - compared to those of our South Asian neighbors in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka – is also a fact. Ugly to see the young man finish his international career with the less than mediocre performance in the ongoing test match against India - and we’re more than likely to have four more agonizing days to look forward to, save the possible consolation of a great individual performance or two - but then again, it's not the first time a questionable selection has ended the international career of yet another young Bangladeshi cricketer. I don't think better bowlers like Dollar Mahmud, Tapash Baisya or even the tamer Talha Jubair would have, could have faired any worse than the 5'5" rehabilitating seamer. (edited out the malicious parts from the original post, thanks miraz bhai, i WAS scapegoating him) Sadly for Sharif, realities of the pitch were as unforgiving to him as they have been to the likes of Alamgir Kabir and Mushfiq Babu from our not too distant past. Faruque Ahmed and Athar Ali Khan have never taken responsibility for their incompetence as selectors, there's no reason to expect that they will before their too long a reign as national selectors come to an end. Not unfamiliar to the morbid realities of public discontent, they still don’t get it and need to be fired ASAP if we want the best possible team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. We have come expect more from our cricketers, as we should, and BCB must stop assuming liabilities our cricket can ill afford at this juncture.
Predetermined, well-defined, and duly contextualized performance measures also need to be balanced and adjusted according to individual ability and realistic expectations in light of the realities of our domestic cricket. For example, the bar for a Junaid Siddique or Dollar Mahmud needs to be set higher than say, a Nadif Chaudhury or Muhammad Shahzada. Talent and ability need to be specifically defined and measured with regards to 1) natural hand-eye coordination and other bio mechanical attributes; 2) temperament and other psychological attributes; and most importantly, 3) the ability to learn in terms of specific, realistic, achievable and time-phased batting, bowling and fielding performance measures. Needless to say, exceptions to the rule can always be made for genuine talents like Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Muhammad Ashraful Matin, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, and Nafis Iqbal Khan as they have been in the past, but with a degree of sobriety we haven't seen so far from our selectors. We don't want to witness talented young teens like Talha Jubair suffer major setbacks before having the chance to shine anymore.
Players selected through the tougher, better, more reasonable new process should be given a predetermined number of chances to acclimate themselves at the senior level - say, up to 15 ODIs with 3 consecutive appearances and up to 5 test matches with 2 consecutive appearances - tied into a set of predetermined performance measures for each time they take to the field. We should be wise enough to remember that it's not all about the number of matches the individual players play for the senior side, or we have played over the past 7-odd years as a test playing nation for that matter, and must also take into consideration: 1) the sub par quality of our evolving cricket infrastructure; 2) the typically counterproductive and stagnating challenges faced by that infrastructure; and most importantly, 3) the negative impact all of that is bound to have upon our nascent cricket culture. Before measuring the success and failure of its players, BCB must face up to its mission responsibilities, and objectively assess with absolute transparency whether or not it has done its very best to set them up for success.
The long awaited development of a better cricket infrastructure, culminating in well-compensated, well-marketed, and well-merchandized professional teams, each with 1) a nationwide, extensive network of trained talent scouts; 2) state of the art training facilities managed by qualified Australian coaches mentoring locals with the aptitude for coaching; and most importantly, 3) several age-based junior sides will enhance the quality of our domestic cricket and strengthen the overall selection process. BCB has the money and other resources to set up six such professional teams, one in each divisional capital and start the processes without further ado. Cricket has indeed become our only true national pastime. As the less affluent, small town and rural background of our best young cricketers clearly demonstrate, it is no longer the game of the urban, English-medium elite. The professional league must not be dhaka-based anymore if we choose to do right by the tens of millions all over Bangladesh playing cricket and dreaming to become the next Mashrafee, Ashraful, Shakib and Mushfiq hailing respectively from Narail, the Bashabo area in Dhaka, Magura and Bogura.
The unrivaled popular passion for cricket will guarantee the easy availability of corporate sponsors to cover any financial shortfall. Also a separate cable TV channel, dedicating itself to the sustainable development of cricket in Bangladesh should be set up by BCB and its strategic allies to broadcast all games, and cricket-education programs from all over the cricket world.
It is a fact that Muhammad Sharif performed well in domestic cricket. The comparatively poor quality of our domestic cricket - compared to those of our South Asian neighbors in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka – is also a fact. Ugly to see the young man finish his international career with the less than mediocre performance in the ongoing test match against India - and we’re more than likely to have four more agonizing days to look forward to, save the possible consolation of a great individual performance or two - but then again, it's not the first time a questionable selection has ended the international career of yet another young Bangladeshi cricketer. I don't think better bowlers like Dollar Mahmud, Tapash Baisya or even the tamer Talha Jubair would have, could have faired any worse than the 5'5" rehabilitating seamer. (edited out the malicious parts from the original post, thanks miraz bhai, i WAS scapegoating him) Sadly for Sharif, realities of the pitch were as unforgiving to him as they have been to the likes of Alamgir Kabir and Mushfiq Babu from our not too distant past. Faruque Ahmed and Athar Ali Khan have never taken responsibility for their incompetence as selectors, there's no reason to expect that they will before their too long a reign as national selectors come to an end. Not unfamiliar to the morbid realities of public discontent, they still don’t get it and need to be fired ASAP if we want the best possible team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. We have come expect more from our cricketers, as we should, and BCB must stop assuming liabilities our cricket can ill afford at this juncture.