Agency :
Najmul Hossain Shanto, who led Bangladesh in Sri Lanka Test series defended the selection of Anamul Haque Bijoy by saying that the impressive first class record prompted the opener’s inclusion.
“When a batter has 9,000 first-class runs, 24 hundreds, 49 fifties in first class cricket, how can we deny him,” Shanto said after Bangladesh’s innings and 78 runs defeat to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo on Saturday.
“Our openers have always struggled for the last few years. Joy and Zakir did well in some matches but couldn’t contribute consistently.”
So, we were looking for an experienced player, Shanto said.
“Bijoy has runs behind him, he was proven in this format. That’s why he was picked.”
But Bijoy couldn’t justify his selection, scoring 0, 4, 0 and 19 in the four innings he batted in this series. His struggle in the crease was something that caught the attention more than his paltry return.
“It was an opportunity for him that unfortunately he couldn’t grab,” Shanto said. “It’s really disappointing but I still believe if he gets another chance, he can do well.”
Shanto said it would be injustice to blame him alone for the team’s poor performance when as a team Bangladesh couldn’t deliver.
