A culture of theatrics
Bangladesh have quickly shifted focus to the three-match T20I series against the West Indies, starting from July 2 in Dominica, after an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the Test series.
Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan and batting coach Jamie Siddons already expressed their optimism about Bangladesh's chances to win the T20I series. And we all know that one win may help them sweep all ongoing debates under the carpet.
Amid all this, there is a big chance that one may forget that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to form a working group in order to find ways to improve the structure of domestic first-class cricket.
The same way a fuss over the need to improve the poor state of affairs in longer-version cricket ensues every Test debacle, a higgledy-piggledy mess surrounding Shakib's availability for any series has become standard practice for the BCB.
The all-rounder made a sarcastic remark after the end of Bangladesh's Test against Sri Lanka last month, saying he was available for all three formats in the West Indies since he was named in all three squads for the tour.
On Wednesday, BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon informed that Shakib had asked for a leave from the ODI series ahead of the tour to the Caribbean.
According to sources, the team management had drafted up plans to combat his absence well before the team left for the Caribbean. The management was considering spinner Nasum Ahmed as a potential replacement for the ODIs because they have faith in the former's late-order batting. Somehow, Shakib was still named in the ODI side.
There has been a lot of talk about the lack of a cricketing culture and system but, in recent times, the Shakib saga may have volumes to speak about such issues.
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