Thank you for the kind feedback Zeeshan.
Our selectors have a very traditional or conventional approach. Have school cricket, develop under 19 team, have first class cricket, give a team opportunity to prospects then promote to NT if they perform. These days they also dont take too many risks. Now this is good, this way we allow a player to develop instead of rushing him. But sometimes this approach might prevent us from finding rough uncut diamonds.
Because cricket is so Dhaka centric not every boy around the country has the ability to obtain proper coaching or even purchase a full kit. So while our eyes are on Dhaka, there might be a tearaway from Rangpur who only plays village cricket. How Sri Lanka benefits is their highly publicized island wide school tournaments-its easier to identify performers or talent. Also their coaches and selectors are not afraid to take risks. If they spot talent, they will not hesitate fastracking to academy or A team or sometimes even NT. They dont care whether the boy has had good training, or whether he has first class experience. They believe in raw talent. Malinga is a product of this school of thought. Akila Dananjaya is the most recent success story. The guy never played a professional match in his life, he was just picked by Wayamba because of his impressive showing in the nets as a net practice bowler. Now he ll be in the SL T20 team.
Now we too have a success story in the same line. Mashrafe wasnt unearthed the traditional way. He was spotted in a regional tournament. Had a few days with Andy Roberts which totally changed his life. Was fastracked to A team where he played 4 matches in India. Was called up to the NT immediately after that where he made a huge impact. Is Mashrafe a once in a generation bowler or a very special talent? I bet there are more guys there, we just have to go out and find.
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