Many of senior cricketers, with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad of Bangladesh were not consistent at the beginning of their careers.
With the exception of Shakib, the rest have taken 3-5 years to perform consistently in international cricket. The selectors have always been patient and confident with them.
All of them repaid selectors faith by performing consistently for the last 4-5 years in all three formats of the game. Especially Mushfiqur, has been most reliable man for Bangladesh.
Now relatively young Soumya and Sabbir are also being given time, just like Mushfiq, Tamim and Riyad. Despite the failure of the World Cup and Sri Lanka tour, selectors said they would continue with the same process and will not give up on any players. Therefore, the wait to see Soumya and Sabbir performing with their full potential will continue.
Talent always takes players close to the national team’s door. But maximum Bangladeshi cricketers takes a little longer to transform their talent into a consistent performance in international level. Let us say, Mushfiqur Rahim, his career can be easily divided into two phases. In 2013, Mushfiq’s batting average was 26.33 with strike rate of 68.14.
However, from 2014-2019, his batting average is now 48.68 with also an improved strike rate of 88.53, which takes Mushfiq on the par with worlds best batsmen. The story is similar in Tests. Till 2013, he has scored on an average of 32.46. In these six years, the average has risen to 38.56. The average in T20 format has risen from 18.33 to 20.91.
In the same time period as Mushfiq, Tamim Iqbal’s batting average was 29.85 in ODI’s, rising to 47.88. In Tests, it was 38.09, which he took it to 40 now. T20 form has also risen as years
passed by.
Mahmudullah, who started his career with a finisher’s role, has significantly improved his strike rate over the years in all three formats. Ace all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan is the only exception among the seniors.
He did not had to suffer from too many bad patches throughout his career. He was consistent from the start.
Like Mushfiq, Tamim and Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and Sabbir Rahman are at the same phase of their careers. Unlike most of the freshmen, Mustafizur Rahman is consistent enough from the beginning of his career.
The time has come for Soumya, Liton and Sabbir to move forward and be consistent. Sabbir and Soumya have already played two World Cups, Liton has played one. Now is the time for them to shine and repay the selectors faith.
