Chief selector eyeing BPL as opportunity to form strong national squad

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhazul Abedin has said that they are looking at the upcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as an opportunity to build up a squad for the T20 World Cup at Australia next year. 

Minhazul talked about the BPL and their targets at BCB on Saturday. 

Minhazul said that this BPL is crucial for the national side as the T20 World Cup and a lot of T20 matches are coming up in the next year. He said, "All the players we have are in these teams (of BPL). This BPL is crucial for us. The T20 World Cup is knocking on the door. Also, we have a lot of T20 matches coming. Our performance there is vital. We are working in the areas in which we have lackings. Team Management and we all want to see good performances from the players in these areas and we will see that in the BPL." He added that If they get some players from the BPL, then it will be a bonus.

Questioned if the team management will be watching the matches of the BPL, Minhazul said that as Christmas is coming up, they will be on leave but will watch the games afterwards. He said, "After Christmas, everybody from the team management will come and see the matches. There will be a gap in that time but we have talked with the coach that he will watch all the matches afterwards"

The chief selector of the national team was asked how effective the newly applied rules of BPL will be. In reply, he said that the management did not have the right of barging into the planning of the teams. He said, "Every team has a plan of their own, we don't have the right to barge into that. We will oversee the matters."

Minhazul said that playing with foreign players was a great opportunity for the youngsters to gain experience and added that it was an opportunity for those who cannot adjust themselves with the shortest format of the game. He said, "A lot of good overseas players are coming. Our local cricketers will have a great opportunity to gain experience playing with them. This is a huge opportunity for the players who cannot cope up with the T20 format. As the World Cup is coming up, we are working on our squad. This is a big opportunity for the youngsters too. If they play well, it is good for the team."

Minhazul also said that as the matches are played in one ground on a trot, it is tough to have a home and away format. He said, "We play a lot of matches in one ground on the trot and thus it is tough to have a home and away format. In that case, we obviously want sporting wickets. Different venues can have different wickets so that players can adapt themselves."

He also added that the weather will be cold and there will be fog in the night matches. Minhazul further added, "However the wicket is, night matches will be a bit different because of dew. Especially, it will be tough for the bowlers. The matches at day and night will be different. It is important for our players to adapt themselves to these different conditions. The best performances will come from here."

Asked about the branding of Bangabandhu BPL, Minhazul said that it was not his field of interest.

Minhazul was asked about the BCB's aim for this special edition of BPL. In reply, he said, "As the tournament is named after Bangabandhu, it is a massive occasion for us. We want all kinds of success from this tournament."

Minhazul also added that the BCB management is looking after Cumilla and a lot of players have been taken into the team. He said, "Many of the players who we are looking forward to seeing in the national team are there. They have done very well combinedly, in both batting and bowling. So I hope that Cumilla will play good cricket."

The BPL will be inaugurated by honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 8 and will be followed by the opening match on December 11.