Why can't these young players grow?

Bangladesh has once again become the champion of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup. Apparently, this may not seem like a big achievement. However, defeating countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to win the title twice in a row should not be taken lightly. Breaking India’s dominance, a country that has won the title eight times, is certainly a mark of success. But, given that Bangladesh has already achieved the honor of winning the Under-19 World Cup, winning the junior Asia Cup might not seem as significant.

In 2020, the young players brought glory by winning the World Cup in South Africa, among 16 participating countries, which raised our expectations. However, in the next two editions, they couldn’t maintain that consistency. So, how meaningful is winning the Under-19 Asia Cup consecutively, in a tournament with only eight participating countries? In terms of Bangladesh's cricketing achievements, winning the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games can be considered another important milestone.

That time, although cricket was included in the Asian Games for the first time, the representation of participating countries was quite weak. In that hastily organized tournament, Bangladesh triumphed with a comparatively stronger team against weaker opponents. While the Tigers made history, there has always been a lingering dissatisfaction. Additionally, Bangladesh has not achieved any notable successes on the international cricket stage.

In cricket, the criteria for excellence are often considered to be the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and the ICC Champions Trophy. Bangladesh has never come close to winning a title in any of these tournaments. The young players have excelled in Asia and the world, but why have the senior players been unable to replicate that success?

One might ask, why can't these young players carry forward the success once they mature? Or is there a lack of maturity in the players’ growth from a cricketing perspective? If not, what is the reason for Bangladesh's failure in international cricket? Has any effort been made to investigate the causes of this inability or failure?

Cricket is not like other conventional sports. While speed is a key characteristic of most games, cricket stands out as an exception. It is known as the "gentleman's game," which is why it is not considered a mainstream sport. To become world-class players and teams in a fast-paced sport, certain qualities are essential, and we are significantly behind in those areas.

Physical, mental, and financial capabilities, environmental factors, geography, history, tradition, dietary habits, and lifestyle are not in our favor. Moreover, we have yet to discover any naturally gifted players of a high caliber. As a result, we have no notable position in international sports. Sadly, a deep and extensive research to investigate these issues has not yet been conducted.

Ultimately, the true reasons behind Bangladesh's failure in the international sports arena have not been properly identified. If the causes of failure can be understood, it might be possible to find ways to overcome them. When will that be possible?

In the face of continuous failure in mainstream sports, cricket has become our center of hope and expectation. However, cricket cannot be compared to the globally recognized sports. Of course, cricket also involves a combination of skill, strategy, and athleticism. But unlike other sports where decisions need to be made in the blink of an eye, cricket allows for more deliberate thinking and time. There is no rush; the game can be played at a more measured pace.

In cricket, though quick decisions are sometimes required, the qualitative differences with other sports are evident. In cricket, the difference between teams can often be easily settled. Even a weaker team can put pressure on a stronger opponent.

The most advantageous aspect is that only a limited number of countries play cricket. It is primarily considered a sport of the Commonwealth nations. With a limited number of competitors, the teams play against each other regularly throughout the year. No team is unfamiliar with the others. Everyone knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Once that is known, there are no secrets left about any team or player. This knowledge allows for the opportunity to turn the game around by applying tactics accordingly.

Bangladesh has defeated every country in at least one format of Test, One-Day, or T20 cricket. They have the strength and capability to beat any team. There is no reason to fear any opponent. While there used to be a large gap between teams, that difference has significantly reduced in recent times. Today, any team has the ability to defeat its opponent. This change may be due to the stronger teams becoming weaker or the weaker teams becoming stronger.

Now-a-days, no team's victory or defeat is typically regarded as an upset. It is assumed that such outcomes are possible. Furthermore, since cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, no one can say with certainty that a team will win. Both teams always have a chance or possibility of winning.

So, why is Bangladesh unable to win the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, or ICC Champions Trophy? This remains a puzzle. The more cricket is played, the more the reservoir of experience fills up. Given that Bangladesh has spent a significant amount of time in international cricket, it is only a matter of time before they achieve major success.

The strange thing is, as cricketers gain experience, team success seems to slip further away. While there may be bilateral match or series wins and individual performances, success in major, recognized tournaments is still elusive. Could the reason be that once experienced, players prioritize their individual gains over the team's success? When individual goals become more significant, they start playing their own game rather than focusing on the team. In other words, they become comfortable playing a calculated game.

As personal statistics grow richer, a player's reputation both at home and abroad increases. In fact, does the primary goal become to solidify one’s position within the team? Otherwise, why has Bangladesh still not been able to form a complete team despite all these years? It is this inability that has kept the team from winning a major trophy.

The reason behind the young players' success is likely the complete opposite of the seniors. Their sense of identity doesn’t develop in the same way. They often play in unfamiliar situations, which naturally makes them eager to prove themselves. Due to their age, they extend hands of understanding and cooperation towards each other. Their only target is the team's success. They believe that the success of the team is their success.

Fueled by this mantra, they play with a united spirit. Personal calculations do not dominate their thoughts. As a result, they do not hesitate to give their all for the team. They play with fearless, fighting determination—either this way or that. It is this aggressive mindset that has enabled the young players to reach the final destination.

The primary reason behind the young players’ success and the seniors' lack of success lies in their contrasting mentalities. However, it’s important not to generalize everyone in the same way. Some players genuinely strive to contribute to the team's success, even if they don't perform well with bat or ball. It must also be remembered that cricket is not just a team game, but a sensitive one. If there is a disruption in rhythm, it can affect the entire team.

In such cases, the role of the team management is crucial. Much depends on understanding the players' mental state and taking appropriate actions or offering support. Success cannot be achieved by mere authoritarian control. Decisions should not be made based on outward appearances; it is vital to understand the inner dynamics of the team. If effective steps are taken with this understanding, one day, Bangladesh’s flag could fly high at a major cricketing event.

Dulal Mahmud: Editor, Fortnightly Sports World.