Anamul Haque Bijoy has once again stirred debate about his place in the national squad after a poor showing in the recent Galle Test against Sri Lanka.
Bijoy topped the run charts in the last DPL, ending with two straight centuries. But on the international stage, he’s struggled — scoring 0 and 4 in the Galle Test.
His inclusion in the starting XI raised questions. Was it based on social media hype and public sentiment, or did his domestic record truly justify the call-up?
Domestic Runs, International Drought
Bijoy’s numbers in domestic cricket are hard to ignore. He racked up 874 runs in 14 innings in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), including four centuries and four fifties.
But the transition hasn’t been smooth.
In 10 innings for the national team and Bangladesh A since then, Bijoy has failed to score a single fifty. His performances include scores of 39 against Zimbabwe, 38 and 39 in ODIs against New Zealand A, and underwhelming returns in four-day matches, where he never crossed 48.
Still, he was picked as an opener in Galle, where he underperformed once again.
Selectors Say He Earned It
Former captain and selector Habibul Bashar disagrees with the idea that Bijoy was picked for popularity.
“I think he’s been picked based on performance,” Bashar told reporters. Not just in white-ball games — he’s been scoring big for Khulna in first-class matches too.
Bashar admitted Bijoy hasn’t clicked in Tests yet but believes one match isn’t enough. “He should get at least one more chance,” he said.
Skipper’s Vote of Confidence
Team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto echoed Bashar’s views after the Galle match. Speaking to the press, Shanto said Bijoy deserves more time.
“He’s come back after a long time. Only two Tests. I think if we give him more time, and if we all believe in him, it’ll help him settle,” said Shanto. “We believe in him. I’m not at all worried about his last few innings. I believe he’ll come back strong.”
Shanto’s remarks suggest Bijoy is likely to get another start in the upcoming Colombo Test.
Pressure Mounts Ahead of Colombo
With continued faith from selectors and team leadership, Bijoy has one more chance to prove he belongs at the international level. If he fails again, questions will only grow louder.
Whether he solidifies his place or slips further out of contention now depends on his own bat.
