Former Tigers captain Mohammad Ashraful demanded changes in the selection panel after Bangladesh’s disastrous performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup.
Although Bangladesh won their last game against Sri Lanka in New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium Monday, they had lost six matches in a row previously, including the shocking humbling against the Netherlands at Eden Gardens in Kolkata where they failed to chase down 230 runs.
Former right-handed batsman Ashraful is working for T Sports, one of Bangladesh’s official broadcasters of the World Cup, as an analyst and he said changes in the selection panel are much needed.
Ashraful indicated a change in the position of chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu who was appointed as the chief of the national selection panel in 2016.
Before that, he was also part of the selection committee under Faruk Ahmed.
“Of course, a change is needed. A person has been in the position of selector for 12 years. Probably it will be the same thinking from him over and over again, I think. I have said this before, and he gave the explanation that there is an example of an Australian selector (Trevor Hohns) who was in his position for 12-13 years. But in that time Australia won 16 tests in a row. Compared to that, how have we performed in the last 12 years? We have not played well in the last three International Cricket Council events. We have not performed in this edition of the World Cup as well. We have won just two games and are now in eighth position among 10 teams. That’s why we need a new brain. If new people come then they will bring new ideas,” Ashraful said to the media in Pune ahead of Bangladesh’s last World Cup clash against Australia.
“I think this position (selectors) should have been around two-four years. So that whenever a new person takes charge he will bring some new thinking and ideas. Just look at the coach’s position. We have changed almost 10-12 coaches in the last 23 years, isn’t it? We looked for new ideas, that’s why so many coaches have been changed in these years.”
When asked if he would weigh up being part of the selection panel if the Bangladesh Cricket Board offers him the job, Ashraful said he will consider the matter.
“Since I have played cricket for 26-27 years and I will try to be involved in cricket in future, so I will definitely consider if such a situation arises,” said the 39-year old.
“If I ask you names (as new selectors) then you probably would not find any names. That’s the main problem. If you don’t find any name then players who have played in this level, should have been considered as well. Then new ideas will come. I think there are same kind of ideas (in the selection process) ongoing in the last 12 years. Now it’s time to change.”
