Mominul exclusion leaves selectors facing questions

Speculation over Mominul Haque’s omission from the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against Australia was already at large. After the left-handed top-order batsman exclusion from the Tigers 14-man squad for the Dhaka leg of the two-Test series was confirmed on Saturday, the selectors faced a barrage of questions from reporters at a press conference. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin replied to the questions at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

There was talk of Mominul being dropped. What led to the decision?

Abedin: [The decision was taken considering] Mominul’s overall form and the stats we have. Since January until the Sri Lanka series, he scored just a fifty in six innings. This ruled him out. He is still in our plans, he is preparing. We will use anyone we need anytime.

Were Mominul’s stats all that mattered, or was there something else?

Abedin: Mominul was left out for his overall form. We have preferred Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes for the spot he is batting in. Soumya has four fifties in eight innings at an average of 45.75. Mominul slipped lower in preference. Imrul’s performance is quite good at home. He missed a number of games due to injury. Mominul is our first choice among the players we keep in the pool in successive series. Not keeping him in the first Test does mean that his career is over.

Was the last Test at home taken into account? Mominul did well in the Test against England.

Abedin: It was a year ago. We played several Tests after that.

But it should still be a point of concern when playing at home.

Abedin: His overall performance was taken into account in making the decision. Every aspect was brought into concern. We took into account performances from January to August. The team was brought together considering this timeframe. And the team management, too, has its own plans regarding different players. We took the decision after discussing with the team management. Our head coach [Chandika Hathurusingha] is part of the selectors’ panel. Decisions are taken after discussing many things.

Who basically made the decision to leave out Mominul? Selectors or team management?

Abedin: Our head coach is part of the selectors’ panel. Team management can’t decide simply because they want to. The decision came after discussing with everyone.

How challenging was it for the selectors to decide to keep Mominul out?

Abedin: Definitely tough. If we have 18 good players, it is always challenging to discuss who we’ll include and who we’ll omit. It is actually good for the team that we are talking about two-three players for a single spot. There are players you just have to include. In the end, you have to select 14 players. Leaving one of them out does not mean he’d be out of the scene. Whoever is needed in the interest of the team and the country will definitely be included.

Mominul may not have scored a fifty in the last two Tests but before that he scored fifties in 11 successive Tests. How justified is it to leave him out? Before the 1999 World Cup, there was a lot of criticism following your exclusion and it brought you back. Do you think your decision today will be criticised?

Abedin: It’s not proper to talk to me like this. Our head coach is here, you can also ask about it. You are taking Mominul’s stats into concern. His average over the last year was 28. His level now is not the same as how he began his career. Such discussions about a cricketer are not really appropriate. We have plans for the future about Mominul. We are talking over how we can take him for the South Africa series. It’s not like we are closing down his career right here.

Mominul performed well, his stats were superb too. How well have you been able to support him in his bad times as a former cricketer and chief selector? Many big-name cricketers also go through tough times. We know the coach has qualms regarding Mominul. Have you been able to play a strong positive role here?

Abedin: We have always provided Mominul with mental support. We always give him support and speak about him. We watch his batting. We discuss a lot. After bringing him back from Sri Lanka, we gave him the opportunity to play in the emerging cup, always kept him in consideration for an alternative. In a 14-man squad, including a third opener or an extra batsman becomes difficult. You will see what we do with him in future. Maybe you’ll see him in the next series.

All the Tests he performed poorly in were overseas. His average in our backyard is still superb. Don’t you think it’s unfortunate for him to be left out after doing poorly in just a couple of Tests?

Abedin: You can’t say it’s unfortunate. Two others are above him as long as performance is concerned. What I believe is that a player should always be given priority in accordance to his performance. If a batsman doesn’t get runs in four-five consecutive matches, he also lacks confidence. I was a batsman, Habibul Bashar, too. We know these things. Pressure is more acute while playing at home. We took all these into account and the fact that our opponent is Australia. The team was formed the way team management wanted.