Former cricketing stalwart Mohammad Rafique has pledged his unwavering support to Bangladesh cricket, even offering his services without financial compensation. The veteran all-rounder has expressed optimism about the newly appointed sports advisor and believes the infusion of army personnel into the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is imperative to salvage the nation’s ailing game.
Rafique contends that a failure to host the Women's T20 World Cup would be a significant setback for Bangladeshi cricket. He has called for a complete overhaul of the BCB, insisting that the entire controversial board be replaced.
In a damning assessment of the current administration, Rafique suggested that the primary motivation of many board members is personal enrichment rather than the development of the game. He lamented the fact that cricketers who laid the foundations for Bangladesh's cricketing success have been sidelined.
“I was there when the game was struggling, and I’m still here now,” Rafique declared. “We are ready to help if called upon, regardless of financial reward. Cricket is in a difficult place, but we are determined to play our part.”
The former Bangladesh captain believes that the involvement of the army could be instrumental in securing the hosting rights for the Women’s T20 World Cup. “We desperately want this tournament in Bangladesh,” he added. “Bringing in army officials would be a positive step for the game.”
Rafique’s passionate appeal is likely to ignite further debate about the state of Bangladesh cricket. With the nation’s cricketing future hanging in the balance, pressure is mounting on the BCB to implement significant reforms.
