Nobody has ever raised any serious question about his selection of team in recent times. Because we know he is doing his job sincerely.

But with due respect to our chief selector, I would like to say that it was really unfair to drop an experienced player like Khaled Mashud Pilot ahead of such an important tournament like the World Cup. I know that Pilot's recent form is against his inclusion of the team. However, I must say that no other guy is at present suitable to replace Pilot.

Pilot is a highly experienced cricketer & he is a genuine fighter. He can play crucial knocks at critical times, he has proved it before & can prove it again. So to drop a player of his stature ahead of the World Cup is unfortunate indeed.

So I would like to request the BCB to include Khaled Mashud Pilot to the squad so that he can say goodbye to cricket in a decent manner.

I try, in memory of Eddie, to keep abreast of the cricket played by the Bangladesh "Tigers", and was delighted that they had a series win in Zimbabwe. It is a good progression and I wish them good fortune in the World Cup. Many countries have been less than complimentary and say Bangladesh should not be in the Test arena at all. Is that so? I seem to remember they said the same about Sri Lanka and New Zealand and Bangladesh has not been around nearly as long as they were before they performed to any standard. All of the top sides have scores in Test and ODI they would prefer to forget and I don't hear anyone calling upon them to remove themselves from the scene. Eddie was convinced that Bangladesh would come right and was sure that time and most importantly, a stable, and efficient cricketing structure would bear fruit.

It was therefore surprised to read about the omission of Pilot (Khaled Mashud) from the World Cup squad. If he is injured and unable to play, then so be it. If as this newspaper suggests he was dropped because of dispute with the selectors, for the greater good of the country they should have swallowed their pride and picked him up. His record speaks for itself and to say that he is not as good a batsman as Mushfiqur is preposterous.
Cally Barlow, On e-mail

I applaud the selectors on taking the correct decision of dropping Khaled Mashud for the World Cup. I have read the reactions of the ex-players and it was surprising, to say the least. How good is experience without performance? Taking two wicketkeepers is also not an option because having Mashud in the squad and not playing him would create a horrible atmosphere in the dressing room.

You just need to go to www.banglacricket.com to see the euphoric reaction of fans who are supporting the axing of Khaled Mashud.
Shahriyar, On e-mail

Just when selectors from all other countries are opting for experience, the selectors of Bangladesh national team opted for youth and successfully picked up a controversy out of thin air. Khaled Mashud, a tested veteran of our cricket team, was omitted from the World Cup squad and young Mushfiqur Rahim was given a chance. Khaled Mashud, who was rested for the Scotland matches, was left out of the Zimbabwe tour because of injury. There should be no question about Khaled Mashud's ability as a wicketkeeper batsman and no one can deny the service he has rendered to the Bangladesh team. Those who follow Bangladesh cricket would agree that until recently Bangladesh batting started at number six or seven with Khaled Mashud and Md. Rafique. I do not doubt the potential of Mushfiqur Rahim a bit as the next wicketkeeper batsman. But he is too young and probably too inexperienced to shoulder the responsibility of a wicketkeeper in the World Cup. Although he did quite well with the bat in Zimbabwe, from what I have read in the papers, his keeping was not up to the mark.

BCB has become quite authoritarian in recent times. They want to instill fear to bring discipline into the team. Recently, they penalized Khaled Mashud, Md. Ashraful, and Aftab Ahmed for trivial reasons. We know that Ashraful and Aftab's comments were actually complements to their fellow teammates and were in no way disrespectful. Khaled Mashud's omission from the team is just an extension of the punishment he received for being outspoken, although the selectors are saying otherwise. They said that they looked for experience, hence the inclusion of Javed Omar and Rajin Saleh; rightly so, then why not Khaled Mashud?

For us, non-resident Bangladeshis, who stare at the Internet screen on numerous sleepless nights and ardently follow our cricket, this is a disheartening prospect. I will never forget his "good bowling, Moni bhai, that's the line, Moni bhai" shouts from behind the stumps.
Shahed Iqbal, New Orleans, USA

It wasn't a wise decision to exclude Khaled Mashud from our World Cup Team. He rescued Bangladesh several times. His career best 71* came against Australia when Bangladesh were at 76/5. What will the team do with four openers Nafis, Tamim Iqbal, Javed Omar and Rajin Saleh?

Khaled Mashud is the only 100% committed cricketer in the team.
Rash Zics, On e-mail