It wasn't just another bad day at bat; it was a wake-up call.  Playing at home, in conditions they know best, Bangladesh crumbled to 191 all out in the first innings of the Sylhet Test against Zimbabwe. Not a good showing, especially since they played a team that was not as good in Tests.

As people started to point fingers, Mohammad Salahuddin, Bangladesh's senior assistant coach, gave a bigger picture. He said that the problem isn't just with the eleven players on the field.

At the press conference after the game, Salahuddin didn't hide the fact that the team had a bad day.  But he made it clear that Bangladesh's problems in Tests are caused by problems with the way cricket is run as a whole.

“If a country is economically strong, does that alone ensure everything runs smoothly?” he asked. “We need good decisions, good infrastructure, good people across all areas. Similarly, just saying the players aren’t trying would be wrong. I’ve seen their effort up close. They are trying hard.”

He emphasized that success in cricket — particularly in Test cricket — requires a full-fledged support system: quality coaching, proper facilities, and long-term investment. “You need good coaches, quality coaching systems, good grounds — all of it. It can’t be fixed by blaming just the players. Everyone needs to contribute. Progress will only come when the system grows as a whole.”

Salahuddin admitted the players’ execution and mindset on Day 1 were not up to the mark. But he urged people not to confuse mistakes with a lack of will. “From what I’ve seen, the players have the right mindset, work ethic, and desire to improve. Blaming them alone is not the solution. There are other things at play — some of which I can’t say publicly,” he hinted.