Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, admitted on Wednesday (February 26) that the team was not adequately prepared for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
Before traveling to Dubai for the marquee event, Bangladesh cricket was fully occupied with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country’s premier franchise-based T20 competition. For over a month, both players and officials were deeply engaged in ensuring the successful completion of the tournament.
After the conclusion of the 20-over league, the team had a brief week-long training camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. In contrast, other leading teams opted for bilateral ODI series as part of their preparation for the Champions Trophy.
Salahuddin believes this lack of preparation played a significant role in Bangladesh’s underwhelming performance in the tournament.
“Maybe our preparation wasn’t ideal, and I believe that was a major factor,” Salahuddin stated at a press conference ahead of Bangladesh’s match against Pakistan on Thursday.
“However, I don’t want to make excuses. At the international level, you must adapt quickly. Whether it’s Test, T20s, or ODIs, you need to transition smoothly. That’s where we fell short. Mental adaptability between formats is crucial, and if we can master that, we will perform better at this level.”
He further pointed out how other teams arrived well-prepared. “Most teams played a tri-nation series before this tournament. If we had played one in Pakistan beforehand, it would have helped us adjust. Teams like India and England ensured proper 50-over match preparations,” he said.
“We flew in just two days after the BPL without adequate preparation. Preparation is key. It’s not just the players’ responsibility but also ours as the management. The cricket board must also take this into serious consideration,” he added, highlighting the challenges posed by the packed calendar.
Salahuddin also addressed the country’s aspirations of becoming a major cricketing force but acknowledged that the journey has been far from smooth. “I remain hopeful. I understand the frustration because we are not yet a top team. But we are trying to get there. This transformation cannot happen through the players alone—it requires a collective effort,” he said.
He emphasized the need for a structured system to foster player development. “I have worked with this team for two series now, and I see a lot of positivity. The players are eager to represent their country and contribute to its growth as a cricketing nation. In the past, individual performances may have been the primary focus, but now they are thinking as a team. This shift in mindset will help us improve as a unit,” he said.
Salahuddin expressed optimism that Bangladesh could turn things around against Pakistan. "I don’t believe in history. We didn’t play well in the last two matches. We have done well before, but that’s irrelevant now. If we want to beat Pakistan, we must perform well tomorrow. Our batting has been inconsistent—one day, the top order delivers, but the next, the middle order collapses. We need to address this issue. That said, our bowlers have been impressive, and I hope we can put in a strong performance," he said.
Despite being out of the tournament, Salahuddin stressed the importance of finishing on a positive note. "We may not have much to gain in this tournament anymore, but since we are here to compete, it’s crucial for our players to show improvement and avoid repeating past mistakes. There are still areas to work on, and we need to rectify them quickly. You never know when a moment of inspiration can change things. That’s why every match is important," he said.
"There’s a lot of cricket ahead for these boys. A strong performance here could be a turning point for some of them," he concluded with a message of encouragement for the players.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
