Bangladesh: Tanvir rejects BCB's plan (21 April 1998)

April 21, 1998

Tanvir rejects BCB's plan

The Bangladesh Daily Star

Chairman of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM) rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) proposal to introduce 80-overs-a-side matches in the Premier Division cricket league.

CCDM chairman Tanvir Haider, talking to BSS, said the Premier Division is the main attraction of Bangladesh cricket, and players, club officials, cricket-lovers want smooth completion of the league.

"But the introduction of 80-over matches in the Premier Division may make the league uncertain as we have only a few grounds to play," said Haider, who is also vice-president of BCB.

BCB, in its first meeting after the election, considered the introduction of 80-over-a-side games and decided to offer the proposal to the clubs.

Former national cricketer Haider said, the introduction of 80-overs would take at least double time to complete the league and mount financial pressures on the clubs.

"As chairman of CCDM, it is my responsibility to consider the interest of the clubs," he said, adding that even the Damal Summer tournament should also be held in 50 overs as it is curtain-raiser of cricket season just before the league.

He, however, agreed to hold the other tournaments in 80 overs to improve the skills and stamina as well as match temperaments.

Haider also criticised the decision of allowing one foreign cricketer instead of two in the domestic leagues and tournament.

"After allowing foreign cricketers, our standard has improved remarkably as our boys have got chances to play with better players almost throughout the cricket season," he said.

"It is not easy to send our cricketers even to the neighbouring countries frequently to play with them, so we must allow two foreigners to widen the scope of playing in the league," he said.

He also expressed his reservation at the board's decision on withdrawal of national pool system.

The national cricketers split up among the clubs because of pool system and distribution of national cricketers make the league more attractive and competitive, he added.

Source:: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)