No clubs, not circketers, cricket comes first

With the cricket's ruling body playing a dubious innings off the field, Dhaka clubs carry on their vendetta against the cricketers who have dared to raise voices for their rights lately. The recent activities of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have ominously exposed its total lack of control over clubs and cricketers. Had the bosses at BCB been a little more efficient or earnest at the least the crisis may not have risen even, let alone the players' boycotting of the matches against the touring MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club). And just when everybody was expecting the BCB supremo Saber Hossain to act rationally and promptly in diffusing the dispute between the cricketers and CCDM (Cricket Committee for Dhaka Metropolitan), he frustratingly let things go out of control. The Board made a mess out of an issue, which could have been sorted out easily. The BCB's contradictory step of lifting the ban on seven cricketers and excluding them from selection at the same time inspired a vindictive few of the CCDM officials to defer the transfer programme of Premier League cricketers further. And if that wasn't enough, they then went for a 'secret pact' designed to cripple the careers of those cricketers in question. Needless to say, the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) resorted to a very delicate stance, thus risking them to be called unpatriotic even. But, were they left with any better choice of realising their demand? Was there anybody in the 'Officialdom' who would be sensible and understanding? For the cricketers, countless BCB promises proved pointless and hollow in the end. Besides, how can anyone expect CWAB to trust the organisers when some of the CCDM men boldly made their intentions clear regarding outlawing seven star cricketers including the national captain from premier domestic meet. Cricketers knew well that as long as they remained united they had a chance to win their case. Any failure would spell CWAB's doom permanently. And, should it always be the cricketers whose patriotism be put in question? Doesn't the issue of national interest apply to anybody else? What has the club officials of Dhaka have done so far for the sake of this country's cricket? One may ask. Many feel, most of the organisers are so engrossed with so many petty things and personal whims that they are hardly capable of placing national interest above that of their respective clubs. Over the years, they have appeared quite careless about the national gain but were prompt enough to showcase the interests of their respective clubs. Even the selection process of a national team could not to be free and fair because of the inauspicious influence of clubs representation in the BCB. It's a harsh reality that Abahani Krira Chakra and Mohammedan Sporting Club call all the shots in our sports. Clubs of Dhaka however can take pride in holding the most colourful domestic league of this South Asian region. But, they also have the dubious distinction of not meeting the promised payments to many a cricketer. Unconfirmed reports say, they owe more than Taka one crore to the cricketers, many of whom gave up hopes of realising it long ago. Quite understandably, clubs did not like it when players gathered under the flag of Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) in early November. And all the crises started when they demanded an early inter-club bourse. Being put under CWAB pressure, CCDM chairman Tanvir Haider blew his cool by calling some leading cricketers 'bhua' (bogus). Quite childishly, he then repeatedly declined to sit with CWAB leaders even though there were reports that players were considering a boycott of the National League. CWAB officials made a grave mistake when they hit out at Tanvir with identically objectionable language and stayed out of the National League until Saber weighed in. (Daily Star Sport at that time had censured cricketers for their unsporting attitude and the unlawful stand.) But sadly for CWAB, the damage had been done. They inadvertently had angered such a person who could make their lives very difficult. Tanvir is not simply the CCDM chairman, he is a man of multiple purpose. Tanvir, better known for his controversial comments, is a BCB vice-president, chief national selector and also the acting general secretary of mighty Mohammedan. So, it did not come as a shocker when the Board eventually sided with the estranged CCDM boss by slapping the ban on the CWAB leaders and launching an inquiry against them. BCB however did not dare to question Tanvir's controversial behaviour. It is learnt from reliable sources that the two-member probe body formed by the BCB to investigate on the seven accused cricketers, is yet to get into action, probably for the fact that there is nothing to inquire about! BCB must realise that both CCDM and CWAB have already done a lot of harm to the reputation of the country's cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) President Jagmohan Dalmya came to Dhaka last week for official purposes. What sort of impression did he get after watching this off the field fiasco? Bangladesh's appeal for Test status is also likely to get a severe jolt. Three ICC inspectors are now in Dhaka on a fact-finding mission regarding the infrastructure and administration of the game in the country. Can we honestly expect a good report from them when they have been the witness of the chaotic state of domestic cricket? It is about time the organisers treated players professionally. The BCB president Saber Hossain must come up with a solution himself that would save cricket. And sooner the solution comes is the better.