Decisions in any field should be made only by experts who have a deep understanding of the subject. While it is important to respect the wishes of the general public, the boundaries should be set by knowledgeable individuals who are familiar with the topic.
The aspirations of a community that lacks this expertise—who do not have a comprehensive view, who cannot see the intricate details, and who rely on superficial theories—can often be impractical and even harmful.
A clear example of this can be observed in the current study of cricket in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is not a very rich country in South Asia
The country has an extremely large population, and while its total economy surpasses that of Sri Lanka, it lags significantly behind in various development indicators, including per capita income. As a result, the quality of life for its citizens is quite poor.
This situation has affected their education levels, literacy rates, and overall intellectual development. Recently, a popular uprising led to a change in government, which established a new government that has made significant reforms.
A minister who does not know sports
Students who lacked experience in governance were appointed to ministerial positions after leading the anti-government struggle. One such student leader, born in 1998, currently heads the sports ministry in Bangladesh. He had no prior involvement in sports administration or public administration.
Additionally, it appears he lacks a proper understanding or study of the sport. His sole qualification for this position seems to be his leadership in the protests that resulted in the removal of the previous government. This act certainly demonstrates his influence.
First thing done
One of his first actions under his leadership was abolishing the Bangladesh Cricket Board and installing a new administration. Cricket in Bangladesh is highly politicised, with one faction aligning itself with the government and engaging in political activities.
Shakib Al Hasan led the team that supported the government, while a minority group opposed it. The Cricket Board effectively managed these divisions, helping to unify the country’s cricket community.
The previous governing body focused on developing the sport by working with skilled coaches who understood the nuances of South Asian regional politics as they relate to cricket. However, underlying conflicts and divisions among the players still existed, such as the ongoing clash between senior players Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.
Banishing Chandika Hathurusingha
A student leader accused the former cricket board of having close ties with the previous government. The new cricket administration’s second action was to dismiss former coach Chandika Hathurusingha. They claimed that under Hathurusingha, players loyal to the previous government were given preferential opportunities.
Bangladesh has been a full member of the ICC since 2000 and has been playing Test matches for 25 years, yet it has yet to achieve a significant victory in cricket. The only notable improvement in their game occurred under the coaching of Hathurusingha, who was instrumental in forming a strong senior-young team. However, the leadership change resulted in Hathurusingha’s removal.
Shakib Al Hasan receives death threats
Additionally, he threatened Shakib Al Hasan, widely regarded as the greatest player in Bangladesh cricket history. Shakib, having been loyal to the previous administration, publicly expressed that he could not guarantee his safety if he continued to play for the national team.
He also mentioned that the students under him could pose a danger to Shakib, asserting that they lacked the ability and willingness to intervene.
As a result, Shakib is currently not in Bangladesh and has not participated in the Test series against South Africa.
The country’s general public and student activists are pleased with the decisions made by the new sports minister (an adviser to the sports ministry in Bangladesh). To them, it all appears political.
The return of Tamim Iqbal
Meanwhile, 36-year-old Tamim Iqbal, who retired from cricket due to a conflict with Shakib, has announced that he is ready to play again. The new sports minister has expressed a commitment to prioritise Muslim players in future selections for the national team.
Several players from minority communities, such as Liton Das, are already part of the team. This decision has been positively received by the public, but it is largely a political and populist move driven by popular demand. Unfortunately, the general public may not fully understand the long-term negative implications of these decisions.
The international controversy caused by the country’s leader and the inability of a prominent player to return home due to a political stance is largely irrelevant to the average Bangladeshi.
Many do not realise that factors like race and religion negatively influence sports decisions. They cannot see that Hathurusingha is the best coach they have ever had.
They fail to acknowledge that Tamim’s return could deprive a talented young player of an opportunity, which may have negative repercussions in the long run. Instead, they are celebrating and criticising Shakib Al Hasan’s Facebook page.
No long-term plans
This illustrates how the general public perceives and understands the situation. There seems to be a lack of long-term planning. This issue is often more pronounced in a developing country than in a developed one.
While the common people rejoice, Bangladesh cricket remains marginalised internationally. Reports from the Bangla opposition website indicate that the new sports minister, an unemployed student, has purchased a luxury apartment.
In comparison with Afghanistan
Afghanistan, which entered the cricket scene much later than Bangladesh, has made significant progress in recent years. They won the Emerging Asia Cup and reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Undoubtedly, Afghan sports have advanced rapidly in a short period.
On the other hand, despite playing Test cricket for twenty years, Bangladesh has yet to secure a victory in the Asia Cup. The key difference between the two countries lies in how their respective cricket managers develop the game.
With India except Pakistan
Afghan cricket managers strategically decided to shift their alliance from Pakistan to India. Initially, Pakistan supported Afghanistan in gaining membership in the International Cricket Council (ICC) and helped build its cricket team. Afghan players trained in Pakistan, and the country proposed Afghanistan for ICC membership for the first time.
However, Afghanistan faced a border crisis with India, and although there was a shared religious bond between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are Muslim countries, the Afghan cricket managers recognised the need to collaborate with India for the future growth of cricket in Afghanistan.
While many desired a friendship with Pakistan, public sentiment often turned against India, which was viewed as a political adversary. Nevertheless, Afghanistan’s cricket administrators chose to foster a relationship with India. They assured India that they would engage in an understanding manner.
This partnership brought several benefits. Some might label this choice as ingratitude, but it reflects the essence of strategic governance, which often diverges from popular opinion. This shift occurred during a time when the country was ruled by a terrorist organisation banned worldwide.
Afghanistan with a different spoon
In a country where women are banned from playing cricket, it’s crucial to note that full member nations must-have women’s cricket teams, per ICC fundamental laws. Afghan cricket remains in the ICC only because of its alliance with India. When a majority community that lacks understanding of the subject influences decisions, any field can suffer repercussions similar to those seen in Bangladesh cricket.
Translation of an article written in Sinhala by Ireshan Siriwardana
