Bangladesh national cricket team selector Abdur Razzak took a swipe at critics for raising their fingers against Mohammad Naim, who failed to deliver despite getting starts in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Naim, who played eight ODIs so far, has managed to score only 95 runs with an average of 13.57. He only has himself to blame for not seizing his opportunities at the top despite passing considerable amount of time in the four games they played so far in the tournament.
Bangladesh ODI skipper Shakib al Hasan insisted that Naims need to work on mental aspect of the game rather than anything else to progress further.
"Naim played in four matches and got the start in every game and what I feel is that if someone can score 20 runs he can score 80 runs or 100 runs. He is getting out after getting a start so he needs to work on mental aspects rather than skill," Shakib said following their loss to Sri Lanka.
Naim made 16 and 28 respectively against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan while in the following two games in the Super Four he managed 20 and 21 runs Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Naim was picked as team management wanted to see whether he can fit as the third opener in the ODI squad ahead of the World Cup as regular opener Tamim Iqbal was rested for his back issues but his approach raised quite a few eyebrows regarding his credential as a top-order batsman to survive the pressure of one-day international cricket, though Razzak beg to differ.
"Of course there will be criticism. You guys are here for criticism and will do that. But had there been understanding then there is not supposed to be criticism. If criticism is done without understanding then there is not much to say," Razzak told reporters on Monday in Sri Lanka when his attention was drawn about the form of the Naim.
"When someone doesn't click it becomes the selctors' fault, the president's fault or the coach and captain's fault. I don't understand why do we look for so many flaws. It's alright, it doesn't matter. You have cleared that it's because he is not up to the mark. Actually if he doesn't click then there is nothing to do. He will understand what to do," he added.
Naim is not entirely a novice in international cricket as he made his debut in a T20I against India in November 2019 and went on to play 35 T20Is and one Test apart from the ODIs.
Though Razzak backed Naim in the selection table, it would be interesting to see whether he can retain his place in the squad after the return of Tamim Iqbal as many among the think tank feels that Mehedy Hasan, who scored his second ODI against Afghanistan after being promoted at the top, might be considered as third opener because it can open a slot for someone else down the order.
Bangladesh will announce their World Cup squad after the home series against New Zealand and selectors are expected to rest couple of front line ODI cricketers that include couple of pace bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and others. Insiders also confirmed to Cricbuzz that Mahmudullah is expected to make a return to the ODI fold after being out since the home series against England in March as the team management is contemplating to see all their available options before announcing the World Cup squad.