BANGLADESH cricket is in turmoil following the strike called by the cricketers led by Test captain Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan Papon said that the boycott was uncalled for and that the whole incident might have been a part of “conspiracy” to destabilise Bangladesh’s cricket. As per the announcement, the players would refrain from all cricketing activities until their demands, mostly financial, are met. Like the BCB boss, the countrymen were stunned hearing the sudden announcement of cricketers’ strike. Many of them expressed their opinion saying that before the slated Bangladesh-India series and between the break of National Cricket League, the strike is unacceptable. Whatever it is; the outburst of BCB chairman at the press meet has made the situation more critical. As the situation stands at the moment, there is no indication of the cricketers returning to the ground.
Team Bangladesh is scheduled to tour India later this month to play a three-match T20I series followed by two Tests. The series will start with the first T20I on November 3. Bangladesh will play the second Test at Kolkata’s Eden Garden, starting on November 22. The BCB president said that most of the demands made by the cricketers could have been solved through discussion. We also hope for the best as the cricketers and BCB were scheduled to hold a meeting last night when we already had prepared this article.
The cricketers have demanded for stopping the player selection process by choice instead of performance. The other salient points the players made were: adjusting the salaries of the locals players in line with the foreign players in the Bangladesh Premier League, increasing match fees, salaries and other facilities in the first-class circuit, appointment of a coach and physio round-the-year, improved practice facilities in every division, allotment of quality balls and increasing the number of contracted players and salary in the national team.
We ask both the parties — cricketers and the BCB — to reach an understanding without wasting time. Their (cricketers) needs to be considered with an open mind and understanding. Looking for conspiracy will not help the government if it cannot solve the problem. We are living under two-way conspiracy — conspiracy of government against the people and opposition conspiracy against the government.
