Can BCB get communication right with their new senior core?

How will the Bangladesh national cricket team shape up as they embark on a new journey with a fresh set of senior cricketers?

The Bangladesh Cricket Board made a bold statement with its latest central contract, marking a significant shift in the nation's cricketing landscape. For the first time, none of the iconic "Fab Five" — Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza — have been placed in the highest category.

The change in the central contract was inevitable, as it marks a new dawn for the men in red and green as they prepare to take on Zimbabwe in the upcoming two-match Test series. Though Mushfiqur Rahim is likely to be part of the series, there will not be much noise around the remaining four from the Fabulous Five, as they are unlikely to return to the team in any format anytime soon.

The team management has often displayed a particular mindset when it comes to handling senior cricketers, which has led to confusion in the past. However, Najmul Hossain believes proper communication can resolve such issues.

"I think if we can communicate regarding roles of different cricketers, whether he is a senior player or junior player, like this is the plan and that is the reason you are playing or you are not playing, that is enough," Najmul said.

"The thing is, as a captain and the selectors who will be in charge, if they can give a clear message to the player that he is not playing because of this reason, in that case there won't be any miscommunication, if there is at all," he added.

"Being a professional cricketer, if any senior cricketer needs to sit out, he will sit out and that's fine. I don't think that senior cricketer will be unhappy or angry or will do anything silly because we are all professional cricketers and we all know what the need of the team is. It would be better if this practice (not picking a senior because we cannot drop him) is not there," he said.

The board now has several cricketers — Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, and Taijul Islam — who will be stepping into the shoes of the former seniors. It remains to be seen how the board manages them moving forward.