Controversy has hit Bangladesh cricket after skipper Shakib Al Hasan was reportedly forced to kneel down and apologise to the country's board (Bangladesh Cricket Board) chief for reacting sharply to his criticism of the team's commitment in the ongoing Test series against India.
At a function to felicitate the team for its triumphs against the West Indies and Zimbabwe last year, BCB chief AHM Mustafa Kamal couldn't stop himself from criticising the side's current form against India.
"(You) have to be more responsible and have to give your best," Kamal was quoted as saying by The Daily Star during the ceremony.
"As a professional, I always want hundred per cent from the players, and you have to be habituated with triumph, and it will be not acceptable if you go down one day after winning a match the previous day," he said.
Bangladesh lost all their matches in a tri-series against India and Sri Lanka earlier this month, and were handed a massive 113-run defeat by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men in the first Test, despite being in a position of strength on the opening day.
"We may not have won the match, but at least we could have forced a draw. I think players need to fine-tune their own expectations," Kamal said.
But Kamal's comments got a rather sharp reply from Shakib who asked him to show some restraint in criticising the team.
"No cricketer plays for defeat, and we always try to give our best in the field. In order to get consistent success, both players and the coaches should work together, no one can win on his own," the 22-year-old Shakib said.
"Everyone should speak responsibly, and assist us in our job. We will not win everyday, no one does. But our integrity should not be questioned," he added.
But a local Bangla daily Kaler Kantho posted a picture of Shakib kneeling in front of Kamal after the function, reportedly to apologise for the comments.
Shakib captains the state association side which is under Kamal's purview, and the relationship between the two have reportedly hit a low after the team lost the domestic championship last season.
Meanwhile, Shakib was today criticised by the local media for his outburst at the function. Writing in the Daily Star, columnist Nizamuddin Ahmed said the skipper should have shown some humility.
"The retort by the Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan at last Friday's bonus-giving ceremony is not becoming of a true sportsman. It lacked humility, one of the prime traits of any person engaged in sports.
"If your integrity was under a question mark, there could have been deductions. There was none. In no paid job, doing your best is enough. Results matter and make the difference.
Your limitation is known and understood. Your lack of application (read attitude) is not. Defeat in the hands of India at Chittagong was not painful. Your integrity in trying was," he wrote.
