BCB boss favours shelving of Test series for time being
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon has said the Zimbabwe are keen to play the Twenty20 series, putting the Test series on hold for the time being.
His comment came at the moment when Cricket Operations chairman Naimur Rahman Durjoy said they recommended for one Test and three-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe in January.
According to BCB boss, at the moment it is difficult to play both version of the game given the Under-19 Cricket World Cup and Asia Cup because there are limited venues in the country.
Cricket Operations said that they want to play Test and Twenty20 cricket against Zimbabwe. But the problem is they want to play the Test after the T20 series, its impossible given we have to play Asia Cup T20 after the series against Zimbabwe. And also there is Under-19 cricket world cup in January and we have no available grounds, Papon told a private television channel on Friday.
The second problem is, Zimbabwe requested us to play only T20 cricket. They perhaps couldnt come before January 14. If they couldnt come before that time, it will be problematic for us.
The BCB boss apparently was not in favour of playing the Test cricket as he believed they have enough time after the World Twenty20 to play the Test series.
Papon earlier also gave his opinion about playing T20 considering the World T20 but Durjoys insistence on play Test alongside T20 surprised all.
Shakib, Tamim, Mustafizur, Mushfiqur Rahim will play PSL. How can we field a Test team without them, Papon raised a question before adding, We couldnt earn any point if we win the Test but if we loss well loss six crucial points. Weve to keep it in mind. The BCB chief however said there are still issues to be determined.
They will send the proposal to the board. Well talk to players and coaches in this regard. Zimbabwe have no possibility to come before January 14. If the players and coach said they dont want to play Test cricket before the Asia Cup, then there is no scope. If the Test is held before the T20 series, then it is different issue.
We definitely should play the Test cricket and we are playing Test cricket now more than any years else. Test will not be dropped from our agenda but we will play it May or June, not in January. So its not big issue. Well discuss with all before taking a decision in this regard.
The selectors however prepared a preliminary squad, consisting of 26 or 27 players. They will form a team whatever it is Test or T20 from that squad, said chief selector Faruque Ahmed.
The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) decided in principle to adopt players by choice system in Inter-club players transfer this year again following the most of the clubs vote for this system.
The CCDM also decided to start the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on March 24. But it is reported that the players dont want the system to be prevailed in again. Papon said he will sit with the players to settle the problems.
I want to sit with players to know their version and experience about the players by choice system, he said. The president earlier said the system will not continue but this year again it was brought back.
The clubs said they just want for this season. I understand their factors. In the past one club can form a team for just Tk. 1 or 1.50 crore but now they have to spend at least Tk. 4 crore if they want to form a good team. Its difficult for them. They have to survive.
I think, the players by choice system is unprofitable for only five or six players. Most of the players could be profited by this system. Such as in the past, the pacers got little amount of money but when the system is adopted, the pacers started getting good amount because there is salary cap.
