Focus on grassroots, better attitude, competent people on board needed

Participants of The Daily Star organised roundtable titled 'Bangladesh Cricket: Steps Forward' at its office in Karwan Bazar yesterday.Photo: STAR

Unanimously agreeing that more concentration must go to the grassroots, speakers at a roundtable organised by The Daily Star discussed several issues including the need for an efficient and professional management, better pitches, quality umpiring, exemplary leadership and contribution towards a positive attitude.
Former national captains, incumbent and former Bangladesh Cricket Board (CB) officials and current and former selectors expressed these views yesterday at the roundtable titled 'Bangladesh Cricket: Steps Forward'.
Sports Editor Mohammed Al-Amin, who moderated the lively five-hour session, opened the only the second Daily Star discussion on the country's leading sport at the office's Seminar Room in presence of fourteen top cricket minds.
Although the burning issue of the time remains the players' revolt and joining the rebel Indian Cricket League, the discussion began by focussing on the very basic of our country's game, the infrastructure and planning.
As the first speaker of the roundtable, BCB's game development chairman Shakil Kasem opened by recognising the need for better cricket at the grassroots level.
"It will be difficult for BCB to run the entire schools cricket system. Actually, the schools and the education boards must come in and take over," said the former national player, adding, "This should be the new policy and from here the talent hunts should be run."
"There's also a problem with the current format where a team only plays a match or two in a knockout tournament. There has to be more matches and that too in the longer version.
"We must also find particular schools who are good in cricket and encourage them. There should be separate tiers ascending to standard of the schools, culminating in a top-level school competition, where the BCB will take over," opined Shakil.
He also disclosed that regional cricket academies are already in motion but also said that more facilities for the GP-BCB National Cricket Academy is needed, including the urgent need of a permanent building in Mirpur, which was only laid last May, as the shuttle between the Mirpur practice facilities and Dhanmondi hostels puts too much stress on the Academy players.
Venerable coach Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury, now a member of BCB cricket operations committee, however warned that age-group cricket tournaments could destroy school cricket.
"School cricket is fast losing gloss because of BCB age-group tournaments that is given more importance. The same boy plays both competitions and does very well in one but not in the other," said Jalal.
Jalal, who heads one of Dhaka's best cricket schools in Dhanmondi, admitted that private academies have a severe lack of logistical support (rollers, mowers, experts, etc) from the board.
"We must reduce our dependence on BKSP. Here in Dhaka, we don't even have good indoor facilities let alone in the smaller towns," said Jalal.
Jalal pointed out the need for a coaching director, better talent hunting and scouting process and spread the concept of National Academy, rather than keeping it too team-oriented.
Former BCB general secretary Mahbubul Anam informed that a huge budget is allotted to the education board's financial plan. But it has never been properly used due to lack of planning.
"We must tap this source," said Mahbub adding, "University Grants Commission has a lot of funds but it remains unutilised. That's something the BCB should get to that with a coordinated effort with the respective authorities."
Mahbub also wanted the board to use a database of a 2001 survey on BCB-certified academies and school cricket and 'rewrite' the development plan in which the strategic and operational policies must be stressed upon.
"You just cannot have it hand-written and talk about it. There should be a handbook regarding this and it all must be done with a professional approach," added Mahbub.
Former national captain Roquibul Hassan provided a witty approach to the age-group tournaments. "Make them of hundred overs -- 40 for the first innings and 60 for the next. We always fail in the second innings so from this level, the kids should learn how to play longer in the second innings," opined Roquibul.
However, selector Naimur Rahman questioned the ability of the current crop of coaches. "Why does Jamie Siddons or Dav Whatmore have to fine-tune our national players? Age-level coaches must be good enough to teach that," said the former national captain.
Next came the dialogue on management at the cricket board and in terms of team management.
"There should be regional cricket associations and the constitution is not a complete one until now. There has been changes made to it at least five times in last ten years," said Mahbub.
He also emphasised the need of a more powerful and respected CEO and corporate governance to achieve the desire result.
He added: "If it is a common platform, I am all for a cricket board which is run by a combination of people who are both technically sound and professionally efficient, notwithstanding their political affiliations."
BCB operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain even wanted an elected president, claiming that it will give more dynamism in the board's management.
Then came the recommendations for umpires, pitches and grounds and there was none other than popular umpire Nadir Shah to provide his candid opinions on the umpiring quality. Thankfully he didn't hold back and said that the umpiring quality in the country is substandard. They must take English language courses, he added. The experienced umpires don't take part in refreshers' course and there are no umpires from this country for any ICC events.
BCB grounds committee chairman Shafiqur Rahman informed that he has plans to concentrate on cement pitches as there are very few curators in the country.
"Turf wickets are difficult to make as we have a serious crisis of quality curators. I have a budget for fifty cement pitches and I think that can solve some practice-related problems," said Shafiqur.
He informed that grounds in BKSP, Ansar and Police Academy are being prepared at the moment.
Another common thought was the idea of not having more than sixty days of cricket at a particular ground.
Former national captain Aminul Islam spoke on the topic of leadership and said that leaders must be recognised at an early stage, like Brian Lara and Michael Atherton.
"There is no team bonding these days. I think the captain has more responsibility in that regard and he must unite his players," opined Aminul.
Another former captain, Ashraf, said that Zunaed Siddiqui never captained at club cricket but was named as skipper of the Bangladesh A team in the England tour. Such practices must be avoided, he said, stressing on the need to groom a leader.
Attitude was another burning issue that was addressed and here former captains Naimur and Faruque Ahmed and chief selector Rafiqul Alam spoke out.
"Sincere, honest and fair selection process is in place and it must continue," said the former national cricketer who added that cricketers are not motivated by domestic clubs or teams. He drew comparisons of Indian cricketers dreaming to play Ranji Trophy.
Naimur said: "The focus is lost on most players because of too many games. It is just too professional.
"Money was definitely a factor behind the ICL farce and I think we should bring more money in domestic cricket.
"Most of the players complain of bossy board officials but the problem is that there is a communication gap because the players also are poor in that quality."
A former selector, Faruque, also sounded against too many matches and wants the first-class tournament to be more competitive.
However, BCB grounds committee member Syed Ali Asaf said that there are not enough matches in the lower divisions, adding that more grounds will help stage more matches.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Gazi Ashraf Hossain (member, executive committee, BCB)
Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury (member, cricket operations committee, BCB)
Shakil Kasem (chairman, game development committee, BCB)
Rafiqul Alam (chief selector)
Naimur Rahman (selector)
Aminul Islam (coach, Abahani)
Roquibul Hassan (former national captain and match referee)
Nadir Shah (umpire)
Mahbubul Anam (former general secretary)
Faruque Ahmed (former chief selector)
Salim Shahed (member, finance committee, BCB)
Shafiqur Rahman (chairman, grounds and facilities committee, BCB)
Syed Ali Asaf (member, grounds and facilities committee, BCB)
Mostofa Kabir (member secretary, CCDM, BCB)