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Story of Bangladesh cricket

Wednesday, April 2 2003

This is my third season of cricket in the Dhaka league, the breeding ground of Bangladesh cricket. It is regarded as the highest level of cricket in Bangladesh. Every player has to play in the Dhaka league. The domestic structure is such that the leagues that are being run in the other districts like Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna are just the stepping stone for very young players who do not reside in the capital city. But the trend has now changed as these smaller league teams hire good and affordable players from the Dhaka league after the capital city is drifting towards the off season period.

The season, following the prerogative of the previous five seasons, started late and now it is concurring with the monsoon. The league should ideally start on November, the onset of the wintry dry season. There are the Third Division Qualifiers, Third Division, Second Division, First Division and the Premier League. There are around 10 to 15 grounds in and around Dhaka City. But the slow-moving Board officials usually blame the international season clashing with the local season. If they are serious about their duties, the clash never happens. Only two or three grounds are taken over by the touring and the Bangladesh team when there is a Test series. Besides, these national players could join the league after the series are over. But a bizarre decision taken a few years ago does not allow national players to appear in the league. It disallows an out of form player to have match practice.

I am playing the Third Division for Dhanmondi Cricket Academy this season and have also played the age group tournament before the league began. This age group structure was the brainchild of Eddie Barlow and a local coach Dipu Roy Chowdhury, a former fast bowler. Barlow had to leave Bangladesh for his illness just when things were looking bright for the country’s cricket.

The age group structure is very derogative as most of the teams field over aged players. This has been, so far, the biggest thorn in our cricket. To tell you the truth, I have played the under-17 tournament even though I am 18 years old. But frankly, I have seen worse. Last year during the under-17 nationals, only one player from the Dhaka side had a player who was 16 years old.

This is no confessional from my part but an insight into the state of cricket in Bangladesh. Abusive practice also runs in the leagues. Umpires are “bought” by clubs, most bowlers in the Second and Third Division leagues (played on matting wicket) have illegal actions. Only one umpire has offered restraint to eradicate ‘throwers’.

Not everything is faulty in Bangladesh cricket. The enthusiasm is encouraging even though the national team is faltering regularly. Ever child wants to play cricket in Bangladesh. We can deliver a test team every year and that is a very promising aspect. We have a long and prosperous future. We need time and a few honest people to take care of cricket.


Posted by Isam