‘Many trolled me, but I stuck to my principles’

Despite lacking star power, particularly in the batting unit, Sylhet Division secured their maiden National Cricket League (NCL) title with a match to spare yesterday, beating Barishal Division by five wickets in their sixth-round match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Head coach Rajin Saleh, who represented Sylhet for nearly 20 years but never won the NCL as a player, shared his thoughts on the achievement, the journey, and future plans in an interview with The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan. Excerpts from the interview are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): As a player, you could never win an NCL title, but this time, as a head coach, you helped Sylhet to clinch their maiden NCL title. How do you feel about it?

Rajin Saleh (RS): Championship has always had a different taste. Many of us national players have played the NCL together for such a long time for Sylhet, but we couldn't win the tournament. Today, Enamul Haque Jnr called me [after clinching the title] and said that we had tried for 20 years to win the title but couldn't achieve the feat. Alhamdulillah, it's a great feeling that the team finally became champions, and that too under my coaching. I can't express my feelings in words.

It's a very difficult league to win, especially this year, as there was no tier. Every team is facing each other in the tournament. When you play with a mediocre team, there will be so many challenges. I think the boys have played really well, and that's why we became champions.

DS: Sylhet came close to winning the title twice in the last few editions. There has been consistency in the team, which is reflected in their performance as well. Do you think it also helped you to achieve the feat this year?

RS: Of course. The consistency played a big part. First, when we were promoted to tier-1, I was the head coach. The next season couldn't be completed due to Covid-19. After that, we finished third in tier-1 before finishing second in successive years.

I think it's all about giving the space. If you don't maintain the standard properly, the boys won't understand the value. Those of us in the coaching panel tried to maintain the standard and got the result in the end.

DS: What differences do you see in the Sylhet team now compared to your playing days?

RS: I think team bonding is very important. With all respect to the previous coaches, I think there was a lack of team bonding previously. For that reason, I feel that such results didn't come to light. We had individual performances, but overall, the team performance wasn't satisfactory.

In the last three to four years, I worked really hard. Many people from Sylhet criticised me and trolled me because they often wanted their favourite players to get match opportunities, but I was strict to my principle and did what was best for the team in the selection of the playing eleven. Honestly, the national players were very positive and thought about how to improve Sylhet's cricket. They have always discussed things with me, and I will also give credit to them for achieving the feat in the NCL.

DS: The batting side was an area of concern for Sylhet in the tournament. However, players like Amite, Pinak and Asadulla played their parts brilliantly. Was there any particular plan for the batting unit?

RS: If you do quality work, your result will be great. In the last two months, we worked really hard. We had a one-month training camp before we completed a skill camp. The preparation was really good, and that's why we got such results. I think the boys took my motivation properly, and that's why they did well in the tournament.

This year, some young players played for us. For example, I picked an 18-year-old player, Bishal, from the YCL. I tried to be tough with that player, who needed strong words. And for those who didn't take pressure, I gave them full freedom. We focused on the process initially, which is very important in cricket. I think there was no pressure from me in the dressing room.

DS: Many seniors in the domestic circuit don't want to leave their places. How do you manage that in your side? How much cooperation did they have in your successful journey?

RS: Those who are in the national team were really supportive throughout the season. They had the mindset to play rotation-wise. They have a great bonding between them and talk amongst themselves. Khaled was very keen to give Sylhet success in the league. Others were also very supportive, and that's why we succeeded.

DS: How do you evaluate the performance of Amite Hasan?

RS: See, he has been a consistent performer in the last four years. I was the batting coach of the HP Unit this year, and Amite worked under me. Amite will definitely become a very good Test player. But I think if he gets one more year before getting into the Test team, he won't struggle on the international scene.

Many young players can't score runs when playing international matches. I think if a player is picked after performing consistently for three to four years and when he is mature enough, it will be easier for him to perform well on the international stage. I think Amite will definitely become a good Test player and will give good service to the national team in the coming days.

DS: You have one match left in the ongoing NCL. Do you want to become unbeaten champions? And what will be your plan for the upcoming NCL T20?

RS: Firstly, we will want to see the players who couldn't play a game this year in our last match. We want to give them an opportunity so that we can see whether they are ready for the next season or not. We definitely don't want to lose the last game. We will play to win the contest and become unbeaten champions.

For T20s, it will be a different tournament. There are many players in our squad who are yet to be mature enough to play such tournaments, especially our batters. So, it will be a learning phase for them. There will be some players outside our first-class squad, and looking at the squad, we will try to make a plan for whether we will aim to win the tournament or not. Hopefully, we will fight for the championship there as well.

DS: After today's match, players and support staff were seen celebrating the victory, carrying you on their shoulders. How did you feel at that time?

RS: I think they love me a lot. The relationship between all of us is really great. I think it was a wonderful moment for me.

DS: Many local coaches are now getting opportunities to work with several BCB teams. You also worked on a short-term basis. If you are called, would you want to work again?

RS: I don't want to work for a short time anywhere. I was hired as a fielding coach in the national team for two series. But after one series, I was dropped. If such things happen in the future as well, neither can I teach them anything nor will I learn anything.

I think it's a matter of pride to work for the Bangladesh team. I played for the national team and also captained the side. If I get any good offers, I will definitely consider them.