Stalwarts to help youth
Former Bangladesh wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud (L) makes a point while talking to the GP-BCB National Academy players at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. Photo: Tigercricket.com
Mohammad Rafique loves to do things practically and there was no exception when he was requested to share his South African experience with the cricketers of GP-BCB National Cricket Academy.
The most successful Bangladeshi bowler, who retired from international cricket four months ago, and veteran wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud appeared at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur to interact with the Academy boys ahead of their tour.
The first man to have claimed 100 wickets in both one-day internationals and Test cricket, Rafique, however was not ready to finish the job by only sharing his views with the youngsters rather he bowled for more than two hours and gave them some tips.
The development committee of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), under the leadership of Shakil Kasem, has taken the initiative of involving former and current national cricketers to give the boys an idea about the South African conditions.
The game development committee however took one step forward to give the idea a permanent shape as they has decided to engage former Bangladesh captains Aminul Islam and Mashud and left-armer Rafique as consultants for batting, wicket-keeping and spin bowling respectively.
"This is an effort on our part to make optimum use of local expertise in developing our future cricketers. Aminul, Mashud and Rafique have vast experience of playing cricket at the highest level and can pass on their knowledge to the next generation," said Shakil Kasem, chairman of the committee.
The three stalwarts of the country's cricket will work with the players of the GP-BCB National Cricket Academy, Bangladesh under-19 team and other age-group selections.
Both Rafique and Mashud welcomed the move and said that it will make a big impact in the country's cricket.
"I am still enjoying playing cricket although I retired from international cricket. It is quite impossible for me to do a permanent job right at the moment but I am ready to help my country during the leisure time.
"I will gladly accept if the board asks me to work with the young guys in the break," said Rafique, who scalped 100 wickets in 33 Tests and claimed 125 wickets in 125 one-day internationals.
On the other hand, Mashud was excited with the decisions as he believed that it would ensure no wastage of cricketing knowledge.
"I think it's a fantastic idea to ensure maximum use of the cricketing knowledge for better interest of the game. When we started our career there weren't many cricketers who had the international experience but the situation is totally changed now.
"There are a number of cricketers who has gained international experience and you cannot waste their knowledge," said Mashud, who is yet to have officially retired from the international scene.
"As a cricketer nothing could have been better than to be involved with the game in any capacity. The board has spent large sums of money for me, so it would be bad if I am ultimately sitting idle. I also want to share my experience that I have gained during my long career," added Mashud, who played 44 Tests and 126 ODIs.
Another former national skipper turned operations manager of the academy Khaled Mahmud considered it as a new window for the ex-cricketers.
"I think this process will ultimately help us to be self sufficient in the future," said Mahmud.
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