The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday brought their US$1million worth High Performance Programme for premature end this year due to serious management quandary.
The 17-week HP programme started on May 25 with 22 players with an aim to make the players best prepared for international cricket when required.However, the BCB had to cut it short by two weeks as the HP unit officials failed to arrange the practice that was stipulated in the original plan of action. According to the original plan, the HP unit players were supposed to play at least two matches of all three formats.
But the wet outfield at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Borga, where the HP unit was based, compelled the BCB to call back the side to Dhaka earlier than schedule.
BCB insiders said the unit was requested to play some matches in Khulna against the Bangladesh Under-19 team, but its Australian manager Stuart Karppinen refused to comply.
Karppinen was rather interested to take the team to India for some matches against academy sides, but the BCB high-ups was not convinced with his idea.
The tug-of-war-between Karppinen, who claimed to have his backing from HP unit chief Mahabub Anam, and the BCB high-ups ended up with the unit team being called back from Bogra.
Anam and Karppinen were not available for comments, but other HP officials expressed their disappointment at the premature end of much-talked-about programme.
‘I am a little sad that we didn’t see the boys play towards the end,’ HP unit’s English coach Mal Loye told reporters on Tuesday.
‘We had a change of plan to go to Bogra but unfortunately the conditions and ground wasn’t right.
‘We had to close the programme slightly early,’ said Loye, whose short contract with the BCB also ended with the end of the HP programme.
Loye, who played seven one-day international for England, however was satisfied with the other progress they made over the last 15 weeks.
‘The effort from the players has been first-class throughout the four months. I am really pleased with their progression,’ said Loye.
‘We had a programme in place to cover everything, whether it is Twenty20, ODIs and Tests. The programme included playing in all conditions. It was an easy job for me, if I am being honest. Their efforts were outstanding,’ said Loye.
Loye hoped that the progress of the players will be reflected in the upcoming National Cricket League.
‘The feedback we got from the players has been the best thing,’ he said. ‘They feel they have improved. Unfortunately we didn’t see them play. In this NCL coming up, hopefully we will see the fruits of our work,’ he said.
-With New Age input
