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Controversy hits Bangladesh cricket

Dhaka: Controversy has hit Bangladesh cricket after skipper Shakib Al Hasan was reportedly forced to kneel down and apologise to the country’s Board chief for reacting sharply to his criticism of the team’s commitment in the ongoing Test series against India.

At a function to felicitate the team for its triumphs against the West Indies and Zimbabwe last year, BCB chief A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal couldn’t stop himself from criticising the side’s current form against India.

“(You) have to be more responsible and have to give your best,” Kamal was quoted as saying by The Daily Star during the ceremony.

“As a professional, I always want hundred per cent from the players and you have to be habituated with triumph and it will be not acceptable if you go down one day after winning a match the previous day,” he said.

“We may not have won the match, but at least we could have forced a draw. I think players need to fine tune their own expectations,” Kamal said.

In reply, the 22-year-old Shakib had said: “No cricketer plays for defeat and we always try to give our best. In order to get consistent success both players and the coaches should work together, no one can win on his own.”

“Everyone should speak responsibly and assist us in our job. We will not win everyday, no one does. But our integrity should not be questioned,” he added.

But a local Bangla daily Kaler Kantho posted a picture of Shakib kneeling in front of Kamal after the function, reportedly to apologise for the comments.

Shakib captains the state association side which is under Kamal’s purview and the relationship between the two have reportedly hit a low after the team lost the domestic championship last season.

Meanwhile, Shakib was on Sunday criticised by the local media for his outburst at the function. In the Daily Star, columnist Nizamuddin Ahmed said the skipper should have shown some humility. — PTI

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