While the other cricket boards are finding ways to get cricket back to the field, the

Bangladesh Cricket Board on the other hand is still in a dilemma over how to
resume during the Covid-19 pandemic. Obviously, the coronavirus situation in
Bangladesh is getting worse by the day, which has seemingly forced the BCB to
play the waiting game. However, according to former BCB president Saber Hossain
Chowdhury the board is lagging behind other countries when it comes to thinking
outside the box to face the new normal. During an exclusive interview with The
Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin, the former BCB boss spoke about various issues that
the BCB should focus on in the coming days. Following are the excerpts of the
interview:

The Daily Star [TDS]: How much do you think the Covid-19 pandemic would
impact Bangladesh cricket as the Tigers were supposed to have a busy 2020?

Saber Hossain Chowdhury [SHC]: The impact is a global, unprecedented one

affecting every aspect of our lives and Bangladesh is no exception. When the
imperative is to save lives, sport is not the priority. Every board has and continues to
suffer. Look at our neighbours India who are facing huge financial losses on account
of postponement of Indian Premier League along with their international schedule.
What promised to be a productive year for Bangladesh in 2020 has turned into a
barren one. It's important for the BCB to think about post-pandemic world and how it
will go forward.

TDS: What should be BCB's approach to tackle the situation?

SHC: Adapting to this new normal requires creative, out-of-the-box thinking as well

as teamwork and collective efforts. The current one-man show and a set of hand-
picked directors who are keen to outdo each other in saying yes to anything and
everything the president says, is certainly not the style that will allow BCB to do so. I
have not seen or read anything in the media that indicates directors are engaging
amongst themselves on how to be proactive in this crisis, or for that matter with other
cricket boards. In era of Digital Bangladesh, meeting virtually is now the rule, not the
exception.

I suspect bilateral interactions, discussions and negotiations will now become more
important and there is a distinct possibility that the more powerful members of the
ICC will be driven by pure commercial considerations in finalising their calendars and
schedules. The likes of Bangladesh may not feature in their priorities and this could
result in even fewer international matches for us. Personal relationship and contacts as
well as effective outreach and engagement with other boards are now more important
than ever and BCB really needs to up its diplomatic game. Would be interesting to
know for instance, how many times our board president has reached out to Sourav
Ganguly during this pandemic and exchanged and shared thoughts and perspectives
on the common challenges that all boards are now facing. Other than being president
of BCCI, he [Ganguly] could well be the next ICC President.

TDS: Five series have been postponed so far this year? How big an impact will that
have on the BCB financially? Officials said BCB has the financial capability to
continue for the next four-five years.

SHC: Yes, we do have the reserves, a good few hundred crores I imagine, thanks
primarily to our Full Membership of the ICC and the shares of global cricket revenues
that we receive thereof. However, if we feel that we have the reserves and hence can
relax no matter what, that is a foolish, unprofessional and unacceptable approach.
BCB has to become more active and engaged than ever before and see how new
revenue streams can be generated. Can we for instance go back to our Asian Cricket
Council solidarity days and arrange some events that would financially benefit all of
its members through broadcast/TV rights? Prior to achieving Test status 20 years
back, remember we had arranged major international events in Dhaka such as the
Independence Cup, Mini World Cup and even an Asia XI vs Rest of the World XI to
commemorate ICC's Cricket Week. 
Unfortunately, our ranking in the ICC Test table makes for depressing reading and
will also reflect negatively on the value that Bangladesh represents to other Full
Members when they are trying to prioritise their tour schedules and engagements.

So, the challenges that BCB now face are formidable and the extent to which the
board can provide effective and responsible leadership remains to be seen.