Dispute puts Bangladesh cricket in jeopardy

The development of the game in Bangladesh, is in jeopardy, owing to the volatile situation between the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM) and the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).

The dispute seems to have started when members of the newly formed CWAB, led by world cup hero Minhajul Abedin, demanded that the transfers for the forthcoming one day "Premier League", be held before the National League (the first ever three-day format competition in the country) on started on November 15, so that they could be sure which club they are playing for and their income.

The CCDM, organizers of the Premier League, refused to comply and it was also alleged that their chairman, Tanveer Haider, also vice president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, called the CWAB "nothing". The cricketers, feeling insulted, now also demand Haider's dismissal as BCB vice president.

The CWAB comprising of about 200 cricketers brought about a silent procession in the city last Saturday to consolidate their ongoing movement and refused to play in the 3 day league games. Later, Haider recommended that CWAB members, Minhajul Abedin, national skipper Aminul Islam, vice captain Khaled Mahmud, Faruk Ahmed, Enamul Haq, Mohammad Rafiq and Mahbubur Rahman, be banned for five years for showing disrespect.

BCB president Saber Hossain Choudhury tried to halt CCDM's ban and negotiated with the CWAB who have relaxed their demands for the transfer dates to be held by December. However, the CCDM remains stubborn on its decision claiming that the clubs participating do not want the transfers to be scheduled so early, before the tournament in February.

Meanwhile, in the absence of the star cricketers, the six divisions of Bangladesh are fielding their third or rather fourth rated sides in the National League which started on 16th November, and it was announced that the league is supposed to be the core for national selection. Bangladesh displayed some good performance in the World Cup beating Scotland and finalists Pakistan, but with the current situation, the development of Bangladesh cricket seems to have taken a U turn.