BCB backs down on fitness

Over the past few days, fitness requirements for players wishing to participate in the domestic league has been a much-discussed issue and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seemed to have taken a hard line, saying that players would need to score at least 11 in the beep test in order to participate in the 21st National Cricket League (NCL).

However, during a press conference yesterday in Mirpur where BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury announced that the the country’s oldest first-class competition would start from October 10, it emerged that the BCB had already softened the stance adopted just last Friday.

“There was a meeting regarding the upcoming NCL; we will start the league from October 10 and we also took some other decisions regarding the league. The general secretaries of different divisions were present at the meeting and we took some decisions that will help to increase the competitiveness of the tournament,” Nizamuddin said yesterday.

However, the soundbite of increasing competitiveness rang hollow when Nizamuddin hinted that BCB’s implementation of fitness requirements will be more relaxed than it originally appeared.

“The target for the players has been set to score 11 in the beep test. We are giving priority to fitness. But now, if the selectors want to consider players in a different way, they can,” the BCB CEO revealed.

A number of senior players who have been out of the national side for a while have had issues regarding the newly-prescribed fitness level and it now seems that the BCB will make exceptions for some players.

Selector Habibul Bashar also said that they would consider some players even if they fail to meet the mark.

“We tried to set a standard [for fitness]. Last time it was nine and now it is 11. I think all of them are professional cricketers and everyone should maintain a good fitness level. But if the performers cannot score 11 in the beep test, then we might consider them. However, we are not setting any benchmark for it; [If anyone fails] we will decide upon a score that they would have to meet for to be considered,” said Bashar.

The relaxed attitude also extended to another of BCB’s supposed tenets -- the participation of national players in the domestic league. BCB president Nazmul Hassan had earlier mentioned that the board will make it mandatory for the national team players to participate in the domestic leagues. However, Nizamuddin’s statement regarding it gives a different vibe.

“The board will try to ensure participation of national players in the NCL. It is expected that they will at least play the first and second rounds,” said Nizamuddin.

The CEO also mentioned that the board will stress on creating sporting wickets and also informed that match fees of players may also increase for this edition of NCL.