Sylhet Division were at the second tier in the National Cricket League when Rajin Saleh took over the role of the head coach in 2019-20. After three seasons, they鈥檝e become the champions in the country鈥檚 premier red ball tournament for the very first time. In an interview with 抖阴精品鈥檚 Saifullah Bin Anowar, the former Bangladesh national team captain discusses how they worked and what it means to be crowned champions, something he always wanted as a player.
抖阴精品: Starting with the obvious question, what was the feeling when you guys clinched your maiden title?听
Rajin Saleh: I have become tired of saying the same things (laughs).听
The thing is, when you鈥檝e got a champion team, like you鈥檝e got some star players, then that is one thing. But to become champion with a mediocre team is different. The feeling is hard to describe. To motivate the players is challenging. But ultimately, they gave their best.听
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NA: What was the expectation when you began the season?听
Rajin: Firstly, in general, our bowling lineup is one of the best, if not the best in the country. But we鈥檝e had something lacking in our batting. Jaker Ali has been missing due to national duty; we also didn鈥檛 get Zakir Hasan that much. Last season, we had Shamsur Rahman Shuvo, but this time we didn鈥檛 have him either.听
But Pinak Ghosh played really well. Amite Hasan is of course here. We鈥檝e been playing with four to five batters. But they鈥檝e risen to the occasion. Even our bowlers contributed to the batting. We played Nasum Ahmed up in the order; that was our plan. He played well.听
Even Rejaur Rahman Raja, the pacer, batted well. Tofel Ahmed, a new guy, played really good cricket. Dihan, another young guy, played really well at three in the last two matches.听
When we started practicing two months ago, the players were told that we would go for results鈥攅ither we would win or lose.听
When you do some quality work in any sector, you will hope to get quality results. And after the quality pre-season practice sessions, there were expectations that something good could happen. Alhamdulillah, it did happen for the boys.听
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NA: What about Amite Hasan鈥檚 performances? He鈥檚 been the top scorer of this season so far...听
Rajin: Amite has been performing continuously for the last few seasons. To contribute for the team is one thing, but there is another thing鈥攖o contribute in wins. Amite contributed to the wins. I think he鈥檚 going to be one of the best longer-version players for Bangladesh. I鈥檓 not saying that he should be given the opportunity right now; if he is given time to get prepared for some time more, then he will give his best service to the Bangladesh cricket.听
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NA: What does it mean to you to become champions with Sylhet as a coach?听
Rajin: I started my coaching career in 2019. I鈥檝e had some achievements. Like last season, I was the head coach of the East Zone, who became champions after 13 years in the BCL. But that was not a huge achievement for me, as I said earlier, to become champion with the best team鈥攖he feeling is not that full.听
But there were many opportunities to work with the Sylhet team. I think I鈥檝e learnt so many things. But to become champions with Sylhet is my greatest achievement. I鈥檝e played for 18-19 years. We, the national players, also tried so many times but couldn鈥檛 make Sylhet Champion. Now, as a coach, to become champion with the contribution from my boys, this is my best achievement. Now Sylhet is the champion team of Bangladesh, and they will play like a champion team.听
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NA: And if you are asked to say something about your pacers. What would you say?听
Rajin: If you see, the best of the best pace unit is Sylhet. Abu Jayed was injured after two matches. Khaled, Rejaur鈥攖hey bowled with such efforts that there鈥檚 not to expect more, to be honest. Khaled and Rejaur, they will give service to Bangladesh cricket for a long time. They should be recognised. Tofael was a new guy, but he was our best all-rounder. The pacers were simply the best.听
I must add one thing: the bonding between the bowlers was really great. When every bowler contributes equally and they鈥檝e got the best bonding, then they are bound to do the best things.听