This is not cricket
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sacked Shakib Al Hasan as the captain of the national team. The manner in which he was sacked is perhaps more surprising than his sacking . Someone had to be made the sacrificial lamb for the team's failure in Zimbabwe; so the captain and the vice captain were chosen as the lambs. But there is something more than this, they were also accused of not showing "proper respect" to the BCB officials. I say to BCB, respect has to be earned, and you guys need to show the way.
Writing on this topic, Mohammad Isam penned, "Among some board directors, there is a feeling that BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal's hand had been forced into making the decision on the urging of a faction that did not want Shakib and Tamim to continue leading the team." The honourable board president's only qualification is that he is a member of the ruling party.
Shakib, the only world class cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced can walk into any national cricket team by his performance and achievement. Tamim is undoubtedly the best performing batsman in the team. They both play country cricket. The duo's fame has spread far and wide. Shakib was sacked in the most unsavoury manner, with the allegation of indiscipline in the dressing room, while the team coach Stuart Law was on vacation.
On his return, Law said that he was not consulted about the decision to sack Shakib and Tamim.
My advice to BCB, even if these boys are temperamental, they are talented, guide them, admonish them, but do not douse their enthusiasm. I only hope that the young Bangladesh team do not suffer irrevocably from this great injustice, and its progress is not halted. Shakib was never given the support to succeed, but he was blamed for the team's failure. He is only 24 years old, and Tamim is merely 22. My advice to them: Forget the pettiness of the BCB, play for your country. No one will remember those puny officials in a few years from now. Don't get disheartened, be humble, and just PLAY CIRCKET.
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