The buzz around the Asia Cup overshadowed an important policy decision of the Bangladesh Cricket Board as it changed its cricket operations chairman in a recent meeting. Naimur Rahman was surprisingly removed from the position and was replaced by his predecessor Akram Khan. In an exclusive interview with Atif Azam, Naimur spoke about his time as cricket operations chairman, his differences with BCB president Nazmul Hasan and national cricket team head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. Here is the second part of that interview.
Naimur Rahman
New Age: Do you think some quarters are trying to make BCB president annoyed with you by misinterpreting some of your actions?
Naimur: It is a very common practice in our society. Whoever holds a powerful position always find some people trying to malign him providing misleading information to the top brasses. It can happen because he wanted to be benefitted or he wanted to show his loyalty. As far as I am concerned I did try to communicate with board president and even still today look to have a healthy relationship with him. I can say with conviction that I did not try to put bad things in his ear against anyone. If anyone did try that he should judge it. He should be in a position to take or leave someone’s advice because he is capable of judging everything.
NA: Some people suggested that Hathurusinghe was very comfortable working with Akram Khan. You had to make way so that he can get into that comfort zone?
Naimur: I don’t want to answer anything as far as Akram [Khan] is concerned. Maybe what you are saying is right but I really don’t know and don’t want to imagine anything like that.
NA: How frustrating it is to see these kinds of power game in BCB?
Naimur: Look, because of success you can get away with lot of things. But at the end of the day this is our board and we must make sure it runs as effectively as possible. There were
some areas where it
seemed our opinion was taken into account. It is not an issue about Hathurusinghe as he is doing a fine job. But at the same time we must make a policy about how we want to run the board. He can make the game plan for the team, that’s okay. But once he tries to take up other responsibilities it is going to create trouble.
NA: Do you think Hathurusinghe did justice to every player. Mominul Haque is one player who failed to shine during his time when it should have been other way round.
Naimur: It is not Mominul Haque alone but there are few other players who could not shine properly. I don’t want to mention all the names. We are now playing only shorter formats. When we will play all the formats only then we will see how our players improved during his tenure.
NA: Do you feel national coach should follow domestic cricket more intensely.
Naimur: That is another problem that I had to face. He was supposed to be here during Bangladesh Premier League and work with the players but to my surprise all of the support staff went for leave. I was not even informed about this development. They just left. I don’t know how it happened. It is quite strange. I wanted to raise the issue but eventually nothing happened. There were instances when a support staff enjoyed one month vacation and extended it for another month without my knowledge. They should follow the National Cricket League, Dhaka Premier League as well as the Bangladesh Cricket League. But they don’t do that. It is said that they recommend names for Bangladesh team. How they can do this when they are not following these tournaments?
NA: One report suggested that BCB president sends scan copy of the selected players to Hathurusinghe before he gives the approval? Do you think it should have happened like this?
Naimur: You are asking me a question when you already know the answer. Hathurusinghe had a difficult time in West Indies and it is only from the World Cup we started performing. I am not sure how much we need to pay for this success.
NA: You just mentioned that coaches are ignoring domestic cricket. What about the selectors?
Naimur: Yes. Now there is domestic tournament but there is no selector.
NA: If I ask you if you are satisfied with what you have done, what will be your answer?
Naimur: I wanted to serve the cricket as because of the game I had received all my name and fame. I tried to give as much I could with the resources I had. I don’t know whether I will be entrusted with other responsibilities in future. It was surprising to hear that since I am a member of the parliament and I have to perform other duties. I don’t go with it. I am not here as a member of parliament. You are not required to be an MP to be the BCB president because it is an elected body.
NA: So you feel you could perform if you keep everyone happy?
Naimur: I cannot keep everyone happy. I believe if someone who can make everyone happy he must have problem.
NA: You wanted a full-time manager in the Bangladesh team?
Naimur: I wanted but failed. The board president declared him (Mahmud) to be the manager. If we pick him as manager we should also pick someone for logistic support. It is not wise to see a former skipper trying to solve all these problems.
NA: Thank you very much.
Naimur: You are welcome.
Source: New Age
