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| June 8, 2003 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1424 |
Nights out and politics behind BD debacle
DHAKA, June 7: Nights out, complacency and politics landed Bangladesh in a shameful situation in this year’s World Cup, a committee of inquiry said in its findings set to be released here on Saturday.
“The truth remains that there was noticeable inadequacy and complacency on the part of both the (present and past Bangladesh Cricket) Boards,” the committee said in its report after nearly an unprecedented inquiry lasting nearly three months.
It said this had “been adequately reflected in the quality of our team’s performance.
“The sooner things are put right, the sooner cricket will improve,” said the committee, comprising of a retired bureaucrat and an army officer.
The BCB set up the inquiry in March and is set to announce its findings later on Saturday at a press conference, but the report was leaked by the Daily Star and confirmed by BCB sources.
Bangladeshis had hoped for a win over Kenya and minnows Canada in the World Cup in South Africa, but failed to show any fight.
Bangladesh have lost 18 of 19 Tests since being admitted to the international fold in 2000, their only draw coming in a rain-hit tie against Zimbabwe two seasons ago.
The South Asian side has also not won a One-day International in four years.
The committee outlined the faults found with those steering the team at the World Cup.
It said skipper Khaled Masud, also known as “Pilot”, who was dropped from the team after the World Cup, “fought with the manager on the issue of tickets, and there were instances where he spent nights out of the hotel.
“In particular, the night before the Kenya match, Pilot was seen outside the hotel at well past midnight, and this obviously contributed to the deterioration of his ability as a player and it is no wonder that he dropped three regulation catches against Kenya the following day.”
There was also no consultation among the captain, physio and trainer over the team line-up, the report said.
“It appears that Pilot’s conduct and captaincy do raise questions about his motive,” the report said.
Bangladesh’s Pakistani coach Mohsin Kamal, now succeeded by Australian Dav Whatmore, had a communication and language problem with the team.
“One gets the impression that the selection of the coach, to say the least, was poor and gives the impression it was more a political choice rather than a selection of an able and competent hand.”
The committee, following interviews with Mohsin and assistant World Cup coach Ali Zia concluded that “neither of them was really competent, dedicated, sincere or committed enough to perform their duties.”
“The fact is, they were being paid well and were quite happy,” it said.—AFP
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