'Difficult to erase it' – Salahuddin on Bangladesh's T20 World Cup no-show

Bangladesh's senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin said it is difficult for cricketers to leave behind the disappointment of missing the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh decided not to travel to India for the tournament, citing security reasons, and were replaced by Scotland. This is the first time a member of the Bangladesh team management has publicly stated that losing the chance to play is a significant disappointment.

"To be honest, it's very difficult to completely erase it from the mind. Not everyone is mentally strong enough to deal with it easily. Overcoming that disappointment is tough," Salahuddin told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

"So the main focus should be what best you can give in your current situation. As professional players, they will try to see it that way. But emotions can't always be controlled. We are human beings; sadness, pain, happiness—everything exists within us. The key is how we move forward, and for that, staying focused on the present is most important."

Salahuddin cited the example of Mustafizur Rahman. "I asked Mustafizur this question myself—how he was feeling. He said, 'What's gone is gone.' Not everyone can be like Mustafizur, but that mindset is the best thing for a player. If something is beyond your control, there's no point trying to control it. From Mustafizur, there's a valuable lesson to learn."

The BCB has launched a new three-team T20 tournament involving 45 leading cricketers to keep them engaged. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed will miss it due to injury.

"Since this is a tournament, I believe the best players of Bangladesh are playing here. It carries significant importance. Whether we are playing the World Cup or not is something everyone already knows. I am not the kind of person who will collapse into despair just because we missed something. Focusing on my current position and doing the best I can right now—playing good cricket and improving my game—is what matters."

"At the end of the day, when players step onto the field, everyone will try to give their best. The top 45 players are playing here, so there will be healthy competition. Young players are coming in, and experienced ones are there too. Every day is an opportunity."

Salahuddin, childhood mentor of Shakib Al Hasan, insisted it would be foolish not to consider the all-rounder when fit. "Anyone who says they don't want Shakib is living in a foolish world. He brings balance as both a batter and a bowler. Fitness matters, but wanting him in the team isn't even a question."