Published: Jun 28, 2016, 07:58 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 28, 2016, 09:32 AM (IST)
The ICC two-tier system in Test cricket is yet to be discussed in full length by the end of this month and BCB are already facing differences amongst their board members regarding the same. One of the latest member against this system is their vice-president Mahbubul Anam the as he fears for the growth of cricket in the country. On the other hand, ICC chief executive Dave Richardson had said they were contemplating an increase in the number of countries with Test status and then separating them into two groups – the top seven and the bottom five – based on performance. If this system comes into place, they might slip below the order in comparison to Bangladesh No.9 position in Test cricket at the moment. ALSO READ: Faruque Ahmed quits as BAN chief selector
Mahbubul spoke to Espncricinfo.com and said, “We do not support this system. We believe that more we play against competitive sides, the better we will get. If we didn’t play against better standard sides in ODIs, we wouldn’t have come this far. We were the king of the jungle from where we achieved the Test status. We were given a reality check when we were promoted to the highest level. I feel that if we go backwards, our cricket will regress.” Mahbubul was also upset on ICC planning to create special class of teams. ALSO READ: BAN players indifferent towards safety regulations
Mahbubul further added, “It is the ICC’s responsibility to globalise the game and not create a special class. Other sports are spreading while cricket is becoming limited. I don’t think this should be the target of a global organisation.” Bangladesh gained Test status in 2000, but if they are relegated, they may have go through a two-year grind in Division Two to earn a promotion. Mahbubul is the third of the BCB directors after Ahmed Sajjadul Alam and Tanjil Chowdhury to speak against the two-tier proposal. The views of Nazmul Hassan, the BCB president, are not public yet.
