We need more opportunities: Bangladesh commentator Athar Ali Khan

Athar Ali Khan is a prominent commentator from Bangladesh and has been associated with Bangladesh cricket for around 30 years.

He has been closely monitoring the progress of cricket in the country as it looks to become more competitive after being granted full ICC membership in 2000.

He feels that the Bangladesh team needs more opportunities and therefore, should get to play more Test matches to be able to make headway.

“The more opportunity Bangladesh gets, the better for them. If you look at the Future Tour Programme (FTP), in the last six years the number of Test matches (for Bangladesh) has gone down. Instead of giving us more opportunities, the number of matches have been shortened.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) passes on the message of globalising cricket. Being one of the Test playing nations, we need more opportunities — maybe not as much as the others are getting but something in the middle range. Suppose ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ are getting 10-12 Test matches per year, why cannot we play four to six!

“That will change the way we start performing in the longer version of the game,” Athar told The Hindu.

Athar wondered why Bangladesh have never yet played a Test in India.

“Each and every Test playing nation has invited us. But for some reason, we have not been invited (by India). I do not know how it works for them, but every nation has its own policies. I would love to see Bangladesh tour India as soon as possible to play Test cricket so that we can show what we are capable of.”

The former right-handed batsman feels that Bangladesh has been putting up good performances in ODIs time and again, but the longer version of the game should be emphasised.

“It has taken a long time, but we have shown glimpses of brilliance in one-day cricket…The struggle has been in Test match cricket. The longer version is an area which needs more care from the concerned people. And hopefully they carry on what they have shown in the last two Tests against Pakistan.”

Athar expressed delight over the drastic increase in the number of opportunities that Bangladesh players get today in limited overs cricket as compared to his era.

“When I played from 1988 to 1998, I got to play only 19 One-Day Internationals. Now-a-days, there are more opportunities for players.

“It is important that you get maximum chances to show to the world how good you are.”

However, he insisted upon a few significant changes in the way domestic cricket is played in the country.

“Instead of playing on low and slow pitches, we need to have sporting wickets. I have been advocating this for 10 years.

“This will not only help bowlers, but also help batsmen get used to playing seam and swing bowling. It will be a huge boost for youngsters.”

“Besides, the domestic competitions should feature the top players of the National team,” he added.