Bangladesh has walked the path of Test cricket for 25 years, celebrating its silver jubilee last year with pride. Yet in the country’s cricketing landscape, the title of a Test cricketer often carries a weight that feels more like a shadow than a badge of honour. Mominul Haque stands as one such example.
Now confined solely to the Test arena, he last appeared for the national side in an ODI in 2018. Since then, the white-ball stage has remained distant, with his last T20 international dating back to 2014. In the years following 2018, the selectors’ gaze has rarely turned toward him for limited-overs cricket.
Leaving aside the national team, even in domestic franchise cricket Mominul struggles to find a place. Despite 14 years in international cricket, he barely features in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). In the most recent BPL, he was bought at the draft for Tk 22 lakh but played just one match. He did play all the matches for Chattogram Division in the latest National Cricket League (NCL) T20 tournament, but that competition involved only local cricketers. Outside of that, his white-ball exposure is limited to the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL).
It was therefore not surprising that after scoring 83 off 82 balls for East Zone against North Zone in the BCL One Day tournament in Bogra on Monday, the left-handed batter expressed his frustration.
Speaking to reporters after the match, he said, “I would say that no one in Bangladesh should become a Test player. In these kinds of circumstances, becoming a Test player is not right. Because you cannot play any white ball games. To me, this is a bad example.”
This so-called Test cricketer tag has attached itself like a curse not only to Mominul but also to Shadman Islam. He too plays only Test cricket. Mominul also spoke about Shadman, suggesting that if players are confined solely to the longest format, future generations will hesitate to follow in their footsteps and may even question their overall ability.
Mominul said, “When we are young, we all say that everyone dreams of playing Test cricket. That dream will not remain for anyone. Because they see a player named Shadman or a player named Mominul in front of them who cannot play white ball cricket and who plays red ball cricket only after five months.”
Shadman could easily see himself as another example. Since making his debut in 2018, the left-handed batter has played 26 Tests. In the most recent BPL draft, he went unsold. Only after Chattogram Royals lost their overseas player Adam Rossington did Shadman receive a call-up, five years after his previous BPL appearance.
Earlier, after going unsold in the draft, he had expressed his disappointment, saying he would never play in the BPL again even if called. Across four seasons, he has featured in just 15 matches.
Throughout the year, outside of Test cricket, opportunities for Shadman and Mominul are limited to the DPL and the NCL. The NCL T20 has been introduced only in the last two seasons, leaving the DPL as their primary white-ball platform.
In the 2024 to 25 season, both played 11 matches in the DPL. In 2023 to 24, Mominul managed only six matches while Shadman played seven. One season earlier, Shadman featured in 11 matches and Mominul in nine. The 2022 to 23 season was even more difficult for Mominul, who played just five matches, while Shadman appeared in only two.
These numbers show that even in domestic cricket they do not receive consistent opportunities in white-ball formats. Over the past four seasons, Shadman had a full run of matches twice, while Mominul managed it only once. They have effectively been restricted to Test cricket and the red-ball arena.
Speaking to Times of Bangladesh about Mominul’s outburst, former cricketers Tareq Aziz Khan and Rajin Saleh, both now involved in coaching, shared their views.
Former right-arm pacer Tareq Aziz said, “What Mominul actually meant is that those who are supposed to nurture players have white ball cricket more in their heads. Because of that, Test cricketers are not being groomed properly. It requires planning and structured programs, and those are lacking. That is what he meant.”
Tareq believes Mominul’s remarks came from a place of inner frustration. He said, “You can say that Mominul is one of Bangladesh’s finest Test players. From that point of view, I would say he spoke from an inner burning. But if you ask me, I would put the policymakers in the dock. Those who are in charge, who come and go, have a major problem in their thinking.”
Tareq echoed Mominul’s concerns, arguing that if a player is confined to one format, young cricketers may not find him inspiring. “Suppose someone’s idol plays only Test cricket and you do not see him in any other format. Then the young generation coming up may not feel the same attraction. They will think more about those they see more often in front of their eyes.”
Given that Mominul and Shadman have limited white-ball exposure beyond the DPL and the two-season-old NCL T20, financial considerations inevitably come into play. Across 12 BPL seasons, Mominul has played 84 matches but went unpicked in two editions. Shadman has managed only 15 matches. Under BPL regulations, players drafted or bought at auction receive full payment regardless of how many matches they play, unless injured, in which case a curtailed payment applies.
Recently, both Mominul and Shadman have been included in the BCB central contract under Grade B, earning Tk 600,000 per month.
When asked whether there is a skill deficit that keeps them confined to Test cricket, Tareq emphasized the need for continuous development. “Although I place the primary responsibility on the policymakers, the liability ultimately lies with the player. A player has to go through constant upgrades. He might say he did not get proper opportunities. But in modern coaching, no one hands you opportunities. You have to create your own place. So as a player, if that has not happened, then somewhere there is a shortcoming that I need to address.”
Former captain Rajin Saleh said, “Mominul has given his opinion. I think the policymakers need to reflect. Just because someone plays Test cricket does not mean he should only play Tests. Since there is one day cricket in domestic competitions, they should get equal opportunities there. He has spoken out of frustration. At the very least, players like Mominul and Shadman should be given chances in white ball cricket to prove themselves.”
Is the Test cricketer tag effectively cursed in Bangladesh cricket? Tareq believes culture also plays a role. “Look at Australia. The highest paid salaries are given to those who play Test cricket. There is a cultural difference here. We are not policymakers, but those who are should treat everyone equally. They should decide that we will look at the youngest member of the family and the eldest with the same perspective.”
Responding to the same question, Rajin said, “This should not happen. We also played Tests and then moved into one day cricket. Just because someone is a Test cricketer does not mean he cannot play one day cricket. But the label sticks, that once you are a Test cricketer, that is the end. This should not happen under any circumstances. This environment needs to change.”
