'Difficult to erase it' - Salahuddin on Bangladesh's no-show at T20 WC

"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, it's impossible," he said. "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. I believe the players will overcome it."

Salahuddin cited the example of Mustafizur Rahman who has been at the forefront of this entire saga from the time his mega deal with KKR was scrapped. "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. If you want to be a big player-or even in a job-if you keep drowning in frustration over promotions you didn't get, you lose sight of your current position. From Mustafizur, there's a valuable lesson to learn. He could have been frustrated, considering everything involved, but he understands that it was beyond his control. That mindset is something I've learned from him, and others can learn too."

"Since this is a tournament, I believe the best players of Bangladesh are playing here. It carries significant importance, and that's how we are viewing it. Whether we are playing the World Cup or not is something everyone already knows. And I am not the kind of person who will collapse into despair just because we missed something. I don't know whether I'll be alive tomorrow or not. But instead of worrying about the future, I believe focusing on my current position and doing the best I can right now-playing good cricket and improving my game-is what matters. That's how development happens. As a T20 team, I think we had fairly good results last year, and our goal is to do even better going forward. From that perspective, this tournament could be very beneficial for us," he said.

"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. If someone takes it seriously, it can be a big opportunity; if not, it could be a downfall. So everyone will try to perform at their best," he said.

Salahuddin, childhood mentor of Shakib Al Hasan, insisted that it would be foolish not to consider the all-rounder when he is fit to play. In the recent past there have been calls for Shakib to be reintegrated into the setup. "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," he said.

Click here to read article