Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seems to be perpetually caught in a mire of its own making, with the latest episode involving Mushtaq Ahmed's abrupt transition to the England Under-19s. This development has raised eyebrows, especially since it unfolded shortly after BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon had publicly committed to extending Mushtaq's tenure.
"The board is fully prepared to renew our contract with Mushtaq," Papon had confidently stated following a board meeting on the 2nd of June.
Mushtaq, a former Pakistani leg-spinner, was initially brought on board by the BCB in April, with a contract extending through the T20 World Cup hosted by the USA and West Indies.
Under his stewardship, Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh's lone leg-spinner in the tournament, emerged as a standout performer, equalling the wicket tally of the esteemed Afghan captain Rashid Khan, with both claiming 14 victims.
Mushtaq's contribution to Rishad's success was widely lauded, and it was widely anticipated that the BCB would secure his expertise with a more permanent arrangement.
However, the plot thickened as Mushtaq had already pledged his allegiance to the England U19s, a move that BCB officials were purportedly aware of, casting a shadow over his future with the Tigers' coaching staff.
BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury's remarks to the press only added to the confusion. "Mushtaq had commitments until December, including the England U19 position. We planned to utilise his services until the World Cup before reassessing the situation," he stated.
The question that looms large is why the BCB chief would dangle the carrot of a contract extension in full view of the media when the coach's calendar was already chock-full until December.
A BCB director, preferring to remain unnamed, let slip that the general consensus among the board was to prioritise Mushtaq's contract renewal.
Yet, the manner in which Mushtaq will be able to contribute to the Tigers' cause this year, amidst his other commitments, remains a conundrum.
The BCB's desire for a long-term contract beyond 2024 lingers, but Mushtaq may well be enticed by other lucrative offers, including franchise opportunities.
The quality of the work environment will also play a crucial role in his decision-making.
As it stands, the BCB claims ongoing negotiations with Mushtaq, but whether they can clinch his services remains an open-ended question, emblematic of the board's recent history of botched management decisions.
