Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, has pointed out that the team’s preparation for the Champions Trophy was not optimal. This comes after Bangladesh faced successive defeats in the tournament group stage against India and New Zealand, leading to their elimination.
Salahuddin mentioned that while other top teams engaged in bilateral ODI series to prepare for the Champions Trophy, Bangladesh participated in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Following the BPL, the team only had a week-long preparation camp before the tournament.
Looking back, Salahuddin believes this inadequate preparation was a significant factor in their performance. He emphasized the need for Bangladesh Cricket Board to seriously consider ensuring better preparation for future ICC events.
Speaking to reporters before their final match against Pakistan, Salahuddin stated, “Perhaps our preparation wasn’t ideal, and I think that was a major reason. However, I’m not making excuses. At the international level, quick adaptation is essential across all formats – Test, T20s, or ODIs. We need to transition smoothly, and that’s where we struggled. Mental adaptability is key, and mastering it will improve our performance.”
He further noted that most teams played tri-nation series before the tournament, suggesting that a similar tri-series in Pakistan could have aided Bangladesh’s adjustment. He contrasted this with teams like India and England who ensured proper 50-over match practice.
Salahuddin lamented that the team arrived just two days after the BPL concluded, lacking sufficient preparation. He stressed that preparation is crucial and a shared responsibility of players, management, and the cricket board.
Regarding their upcoming match against Pakistan, which is now inconsequential for the tournament, Salahuddin highlighted the importance of ending on a positive note. He expressed hope that Bangladesh could challenge Pakistan and demonstrate improvement, focusing on correcting past mistakes.
He acknowledged that while this tournament may not offer further gains, it is vital for players to show progress, learn from errors, and build momentum for future cricket. Salahuddin believes a strong performance could be a turning point for some players.
Salahuddin admitted Bangladesh was outplayed in their initial two matches but praised the bowling attack for their efforts in defending low scores. He concluded by emphasizing the need for consistent batting performance and expressed hope for a strong overall team performance against Pakistan.
It was also noted that Bangladesh’s training before the Pakistan match was hampered by rain, potentially affecting their performance in the final game.
