Screaming for a strong domestic league

[AsifTheManRahman]

There has been much discussion on our team's failure to fulfill the fans' expectations in the recent Asia Cup. Suggestions such as bringing in new players from the under 19, getting rid of a couple of the senior players and going for "big hitter" hunts have been made, and some of these suggestions have been converted into decisions by our cricket authorities. However, one must admit that without a domestic cricket league that offers extreme competition to our cricketers, be it from the national team or from a minor club, winning matches at the international level on a regular basis will continue to remain an impossibility.

Looking at the performances of our national teams over the years, it has been quite evident that our problem lies not in technique or the understanding of the game, but in ability. Our players are simply not capable of dominating the opponent (except for very few exceptions). This brings us to the question: "Why, after so many years of playing at the international level, do we still have this kind of a lapse?"

Well, the problem lies at the root. Our domestic cricket is simply not up to the mark. A batsman who tops the batting figures in a domestic competition fails badly when playing for the national team. A bowler who bags 50 odd wickets in one national league outing has pretty ordinary figures in test and ODI matches.

This is simply because these players are not challenged at the domestic level. Improvement in ability can only come by facing tough opponents on a regular basis. It is in the domestic level that one can conduct experiments on his way of playing without causing much harm to the team. This is where one should get to play more and more, and prove oneself before getting selected for the national and A teams.

All this outlines the reasons for the domestic leagues having to be of a minimum standard that is comparable to international cricket. A player who proves himself in our current leagues actually proves nothing. International matches are a different story - the intense pressure, obligation to the country, and lack of opportunity to experiment simply paralyse the players' ability to perform well; that is, if they are not fully prepared for it. This preparation, therefore, can be complete only if our national players compete in the local tournaments all year round, and get to face some quality bowling and batting. A plan like this will ensure that our cricketers are playing all the time, and that too against tough opponents. It will definitely lift their game, and also make them realize that, with the pool of quality players at home, their place in the national side is subject to performance, and not to the lack of players who are as good as them.

In conclusion, I would say that there are two ways we can secure a respectable place in the cricketing world. The first one that comes to my mind is rather unrealistic - we need a miracle. The second one, though, is achievable with a little bit of hard work from our officials - finding a way to make our domestic leagues longer and more competitive.

Edited on, August 16, 2004, 5:51 AM GMT, by AsifTheManRahman.

[Zobair]

well said! We keep hearing about the mental aspect of the game and how our players are found out in that department. Well! the only permanent solution to that is by having a competitive domestic league. Period! BCB you listenin?!

[PoorFan]

In a long view :

We certainly need a competitive regular domestic league with quality in both version ( ODI and test ).
But the big problem is the "quality", since the current leagues already proved to be failed to show a good quality.
Configuring a new league will not bring that "quality" instantly which is required to be international level.
We are far behind from Australia or England's high quality domestic league, so we can not expect some
quality players from our domestic league, who may perform consistently well in national team.
But again, in a long view we must start working for a competitive regular domestic league, so that after some
years we can achieve a high quality domestic league with a quality of international level.

In a short view :

Since it will take years to achieve desired high quality domestic league,
we have to find out a way to develop our talented players to a quality international player.
We are selecting the talented players for national team from A team, U-19, or current league, those who performs well.
Some of our members already pointed that we should put those talented player in Australia or England's
domestic league so that they can get experience and prove themselves for international level.
It also improve their motivation, since they have to make a professional contract with the team
and have to do the job very professional way. Otherwise they will be thrown away, and they know that very well.
Our officials could play a very important role on this regard, and sit to talk with those international league
authority to build up a system. I am hopeful since those teams are looking for young and talented players
for the team in economic way.

I think it's a good idea for a country like us, who don't have a competitive and quality domestic league yet.

[bourny3]

How about they have the U19s in the domestic league and cut the current 6 teams in the National league down to 3 plus the U19s. And at the start or end of each year have a tri series between Bangladesh national side, The A team and the U19s. This will consist of 6, 4 day games and 6 one dayers.

[chinaman]

Dear AsifTheManRahman

May we publish your post as a front page article? Thanks in advance.

[crazyisland]

I am screaming for making all Fast and Bouncy Pitch for domestic leagues. That alone will solve 90% of the BD's batting problem.

[AsifTheManRahman]

Originally posted by chinaman
Dear AsifTheManRahman

May we publish your post as a front page article? Thanks in advance.

Sure.

[AsifTheManRahman]

Originally posted by crazyisland
I am screaming for making all Fast and Bouncy Pitch for domestic leagues. That alone will solve 90% of the BD's batting problem.

yes. we definitely need bouncy and fast pitches. however, it will not solve 90% of our problems. look at our performance even in batting friendly pitches.

[Shehwar]

Very well written indeed….Our domestic league is basically dead at this point of time…And for the last few years the crowd attendance has deteriorated quite alarmingly….The reason is simple…With most of the national caps not participating, the fans find very little interest..Thats quite a contrast to what we used to see in domestic arena with crowds poring in in large numbers…But then again…They couldn’t have resisted watching players like Wasim Akram, Jayasuria, Jadeja, Fairbrother just to name a few playing for their clubs in action….Our domestic league used to be one of the most competitive leagues in South Asia….We must find a way to get it back on track…It’ll do our cricket no harm that’s for sure…..Take care…

[bourny3]

We need a better and more compettitve league. The U19s need more exposure to other countries as well as the As

[AsifTheManRahman]

I remember taking the radio to the shower with me to listen to an Abahani vs Mohammedan match when I was a kid. This kind of enthusiasm is no longer there. However, even if domestic leagues fail to fetch a whole lot of money, crowd enthusiasm is not a big factor. Compare National League attendances with Quaid e Azam or Ranji Trophy attendances. There is no big difference. The difference is in the attitude of the players and the quality of the game.

[fwullah]

I wholeheartedly agree with all the posts above, including AsifTheManRahman's original topic.

I would like to add a few things, some pretty bad ones, to be precise. For a long time, I didn't want to admit it myself when we were losing to Kenya, Scotland, Northern Ireland in either practice matches or in ODIs.

Most of the clubs, mostly the little ones, used to have foreign players in the side, and those foriengers used to make the major contributions in winning matches for the club teams. Players like the Elahi brothers of Pakistan, Raman Lamba of India - used to win matches for different clubs and all our local players did was to help them by just hanging around at the wicket.

[fwullah]

There were only a few times when our former national players used to be major contributors in winning matches involving the big clubs.

However, the big clubs usually don't just pick up youngsters into the squad, they include players who had performed for the small clubs first.

[Ibrahim]

Originally posted by bourny3
And at the start or end of each year have a tri series between Bangladesh national side, The A team and the U19s. This will consist of 6, 4 day games and 6 one dayers.

Do we have BD "A" team? If yes where are they now or just washed away by recent flood.

[bourny3]

Well the A team did play a while ago i beleive. They are mostly of U 19 players and ex test players.

[Nasif]

Originally posted by Ibrahim
Do we have BD "A" team? If yes where are they now or just washed away by recent flood.

BD-A Team is training under the supervision of BCB High Performance Unit.