Tigers mauled!
Photo: AFP
I strongly believe, like most of the cricket buffs, you must be either feeling deeply sorry for the plight of our national cricket or cursing yourself to be an unfortunate soul who cannot help support the failed boys of our national team. Since I take a great deal of interest in cricket, I find it hard to keep silent at this moment of shame. The national team did us proud ( though putting us most of the time in great embarrassment!) when they put up a good fight against the big boys (Australia and Sri Lanka) in warm up matches. They gallantly tried to chase the winning target of 200 plus against Australia. Although the results of the games were 'usual defeat'. But the performance was slightly above average. Do not forget those were insignificant contests, only to acclimatize and stretch muscles. There has been no pressure and losing did not matter. Losing to India was also a sad affair. Until the 15th over the Indians were kept under tight noose. Yuvraj destroyed our bowlers who, after the 15th over, appeared tired and wayward. They fed the batsmen with juicy deliveries. We should like to know what went wrong with the bowlers 15 over onwards. The fatal blow came against the Irish team. In cricketing terms, it is called 'upset'. Look at the Irish team, mostly appeared over-aged and some only half fit. The team is not a Test playing side and they did not play regular cricket either. We don't know any of the players with name in the county as well. And our boys? Under the most frustrating leadership of Ashraful, they have done what they should have done. The most uninspiring skipper thus far, this little man lost his head long time back, and is now bent on consuming the team spirit. Bangladesh lost to Ireland just to confirm that they are not fit to go any further. The way batters displayed their skills and the frustrating shots that they played were a manifestation of total lack of commitment and highest degree of non-professionalism. Apart from the lack of commitment, failed leadership has been contributing to the pathetic showing of the team for a long time now. What is the BCB doing? If the authorities start behaving like bosses sans accountability, we are indeed unfortunate. Ashraful for one is unfit to be in the starting eleven. He should be left out of the team for one whole year and asked to come back only after proving his ability to score. He should be advised strongly to shun playing the most disgusting shot of scooping the ball over short fine leg or the keeper's head and the pull shot that is not there. Not only as the captain he is unfit, he is dry with the bat as well. Mashrafe is fine when bowling the first spell - in the next spell he is bound to bungle. Rubel, another quickie, should be advised to keep his calm if he wants to do better. Tamim is the only one who dares to attack the opening pacers, but he should also be advised and motivated to play longer innings. Bangladesh needs his kind of bat for a longer period in the middle. Shakib is doing well. However, the whole team failed us. There is great lack of motivation and more. The coach also bears a great deal of responsibility. He should not give us wrong info, wrong signals, and wrong hopes. To the cricket bosses: It's no tennis ball game, please stand up and take immediate measures. Make the coach and the players accountable for their lapses. After all, it is the national pride that is at stake, not to speak of the money.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments