‘HP cricketers must focus on Tests’

Cricketers of the Bangladesh Cricket Board High-Performance side should prioritise red-ball cricket over shorter versions, vice-chairman of HP and BCB Director, Akram Khan, said on Tuesday.

Bangladesh, 22 years after achieving Test status, have failed to become consistent in the format. Akram, the former Bangladesh captain, said that many cricketers decide to play only white-ball cricket even before getting to the
national team.

“You must set a target. Many players think about playing only the shorter format before graduating from HP. But you have to realise, that those who do well in Tests, do well everywhere. So, the target must be set for Tests,” Akram told the media on Tuesday.

BCB Director and chairman of HP, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, echoed Akram’s words and said that Tests must be given importance at every level.

“We are generally attracted to white-ball cricket, whether it’s the fans, or club officials or organisers. We need to focus on Tests. Because that is the real cricket. We are playing Tests for a long time. We have to be more careful about our Test culture, our domestic first-class. There is no other way to do well in Tests,” Bangladesh’s first Test captain said.