‘Khaled Mahmud's best wasn't enough’ - Papon
Nazmul Hasan Papon slammed the decision of not hiring a new coach before the recently-concluded series. According to him, he had agreed because everyone including the senior player insisted that they could handle things without a head coach.
Papon reportedly said, “We had a meeting among Team Management and the captains before the start of the series. They [the captains] believed that there was no need for a new coach in this series. They wanted to handle it themselves.
“They were confident that they would do well. Listening to everyone, I agreed to leave it on them. Now the time is over. It will be like before.
“The players themselves said that they could take on the role of a coach. But now I see that they cannot be given that liberty.
“I had called Simon Helmot, [Courtney] Walsh, technical director [Khaled Mahmud] Sujon and two selectors. Shakib was also there to talk about the Nidahas Cup. I wanted to know from them about what happened in the last series."
The BCB president also revealed that he was disheartened by Bangladesh’s performance in the tri-nation series final. He also
“They had done as much as they could. But this is not enough. A team can’t change all of a sudden. Even I didn’t feel like it’s Bangladesh team. Watching the final [of the tri-nation series], I was completely disheartened. We can’t score 220 against Sri Lanka just because Hathurusingha is not there! We can’t score 220 at our home-ground,” he stated.
Ahead of the Nidahas Trophy, he said, “We are going to play in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka. Situations will be harder there. We’ll have to play against India. They are in great form. Playing against such a strong team can’t be dealt with so easily.
“We have to turn around. That's why I told Courtney Walsh to start a [training] camp with 14 pacers. There are also some batsmen who can improve their performance. A camp will start from Thursday consisting a total of 19 cricketers.”
Regarding the coach-issue, Papon clarified, “I always care about coaches. I told the hockey team and the Kabaddi team to rope in a foreign coach.
“I always insist on having a coach. We need a professional coach. Many people think that there is no need for a coach. That’s not right.
“The system that I have witnessed for the last four years, was not there. We had flaws in planning, strategies and mental strength. We need a coach immediately.
“Hathurusingha is a good coach but he is not the best. There are other coaches who can take the team back to a good shape."
Nazmul Hasan Papon also said that they are trying to hire a new coach for the upcoming tournament. He also justified the reasons for including new players in the team.
“We are still trying. We had contacted two coaches yesterday. Nobody wants to join now leaving the IPL. It is tough to get a coach. However, we are trying to bring in a new coach before Nidahas Trophy.
“We’ve 8-10 days left before the tournament. I am not sure that we can bring someone within this period but we’re trying,” he said.
“If we hadn’t taken Nasir, you would complain saying he plays well but doesn’t get a chance. Bijoy scored centuries [in domestic cricket] and was given an opportunity but has been given.
“There were a few other players who have played Domestics well. Like Mahedi Hasan, Nazmul Islam. Apu [Nazmul Islam] bowled well. Rahi [Abu Jayed] played well. Zakir, Afif, and some other new players tried well,” he added.
A few day ago, Bangladesh team’s technical director Khaled Mahmud Sujon revealed that he doesn’t want to continue his stint with the national team. Nazmul Hasan said that the technical director did not say anything like that to him. He also said that Sujon’s contribution was not “enough”.
Papon said, “He [Khaled Mahmud] may have given a personal opinion. He didn’t say anything to me. If you have been given a responsibility, even you will try. He tried to give his best. But that is not enough. We need better than this.”
