‘Don't think anyone raised question about their commitment’ – BCB chief Nazmul Hasan hits out at Mahmudullah

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon has lashed out at Mahmudullah after the latter hit out at the critics towards the players. After the Tigers’ win over Oman at Al Amerat, Mahmudullah, Bangladesh’s most successful T20I skipper, said that constructive criticisms are welcome, but it’s not fair if the national team’s players are belittled.

Mahmudullah said that the players are humans and are allowed to make mistakes. In the meantime, Hasan termed the all-rounder’s remarks ”an emotional outburst” and stated that he never questioned the cricketers for their commitment towards the game.

Bangladesh started their campaign with a six-run loss at the hands of Scotland. Hasan said that he was disappointed with the way the Tigers played in that game.

There is nothing to take personally, says Nazmul Hasan

”There are two things that I did not get. Like he said they feel bad when anyone questions their commitment. I don’t think anyone raised question about their commitment… Not for once I said anything about commitment. Secondly, he said I belittled them but I feel it’s an emotional outburst.

“I will still stick to my point that I was not happy with their approach, attitude and planning in the first game,” Hasan was quoted as saying on Somoy TV.

“I think he (Mahmudullah) and other players need to understand one thing, like he said, that they are humans but on the same note, the team’s supporters and the spectators are also humans and [so is] everyone in BCB.

“There is nothing to take personally because whatever we said was for the team and the country and not against any individual,” he added.

Hasan also hinted at a change in Bangladesh’s T20I captaincy in the near future. For the time being, the Tigers have three captains- Mominul Haque Showrabh, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad.

As far as the Tigers are concerned, they finished second in Group B after wins against Oman and Papua New Guinea. They also finished with a net run rate of 1.733, the best among the teams in their group.

Their first match in the Super 12s is against Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka on Sunday, October 24 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.