Sports Desk:

Former national team captain and star Test batter Mushfiqur Rahim visited the Bashundhara Cricket Network (BCN) at Bashundhara Sports City on Wednesday, where the ‘Celebrating Youth Festival Physically Challenged Cricket Trial and Selection Camp 2025’ was being held.

He praised the cricketing facilities at the venue and remarked that it could even be embarrassing for local organisers and clubs to witness such state-of-the-art infrastructure in Bangladesh.

“Seeing this, all of us should feel ashamed. Because a group like this in Bangladesh… as Sanowar bhai and Javed bhai said… forget cricket, no other national team in Bangladesh gets this kind of facility. And this is something that should actually be considered as a very basic facility. Because if you can’t ensure opportunities and proper facilities, it becomes difficult to produce players,” he said.

The veteran batter also suggested that the cricketing governing body and policymakers should take note of this and be inspired to help the future generations of cricketers.

“If our policymakers are not encouraged by seeing these facilities, then there is nothing left to say except regret. However, this is definitely something inspiring. Even if it’s a bit late, such a big group like them (Bashundhara) has taken this initiative. I hope a lot of cricketers will benefit from this, many people will benefit, and many will be inspired watching this,” he added.

Mushfiqur also recalled his experience of playing for Dhanmondi Sports Club (formerly Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club) and praised Bashundhara Group for their organisational prowess.

“At every step, they (Bashundhara) are improving themselves. I played for Sheikh Jamal for one year and we also became champions. So I know Ishtiaque (Sadeque) bhai very closely. I know the others as well. The way the facilities are increasing here day by day, there will be even more in the future. If it becomes an international venue, our cricketers will be able to come here and practice with top-level facilities,” Mushfiqur concluded.