In a notable change, Bangladesh men’s cricket team will have Mohammad Salahuddin managing the batting department during their tour of the West Indies. The move comes as David Hemp, the team’s usual batting coach, is unavailable for the series.

Salahuddin’s appointment as Senior Assistant Coach

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Mohammad Salahuddin as the senior assistant coach, a role that includes overseeing the batting responsibilities for the national team. This marks Salahuddin’s second stint with the team, and his contract will extend until March 15, 2025.

BCB’s new president, Faruque Ahmed, has embraced a policy shift by involving local coaches in prominent roles. Salahuddin’s wealth of experience makes him a natural fit for the role. His expertise will be tested in the Caribbean, as Bangladesh aims to improve their batting performance in challenging overseas conditions.

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David Hemp to resume HP Head Coach role

David Hemp, who transitioned from High Performance (HP) head coach to the national team’s batting coach, did not travel to the West Indies. Currently in Bangladesh, Hemp is expected to return to his original position as HP head coach.

According to BCB cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees, “Hemp is not part of the team as we have appointed Mohammad Salahuddin as senior assistant coach. He will look after our batting.”

New performance analyst for the tour

In another strategic move, BCB has appointed Akshay Hiremath from India as the performance analyst for the West Indies tour. Hiremath replaces Mohsin Sheikh and brings fresh insights to Bangladesh’s preparation and performance evaluation.

BCB’s recent decisions highlight a shift toward integrating local expertise and refining team support structures. With Salahuddin in charge of batting and Hiremath joining as the performance analyst, the Bangladesh team is gearing up for a promising campaign in the Caribbean.

The West Indies tour will not only test the team’s adaptability but also the effectiveness of these new appointments in shaping Bangladesh cricket’s future trajectory.

Former all-format Bangladeshi opener Imrul Kayes officially announced his retirement from the red-ball cricket arena via a video message on his Facebook page on Wednesday. In that video, the 37-year-old stated that the first-class game against Dhaka Division on November 16th will be the last game of his professional cricketing career in the longest format. However, he added that he will continue to feature in white-ball matches in the domestic arena.

In his now-viral video on social media, Kayes admitted that it was indeed a hard decision for him to quit red-ball cricket from an emotional perspective. 

"On November 16, I will retire from Test and first-class cricket. It is the most difficult and emotional decision of my life."

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An overview of his record in Test and First-Class cricket

Kayes made his debut for Bangladesh at a very young age of 21 against New Zealand in a one-day international back in 2008. In his 11-year-long career, the Khulna-based batter went on to represent his national side across all three formats. However, he contributed the most in the ODI format. In 78 ODI innings, Kayes made some invaluable contributions at the top with his former opening partner Tamim Iqbal and churned 2434 runs at a healthy average of 32.02. Moreover, the most number of international centuries (four) came in this format alone.

The elegant left-handed opener was equally capable in the red-ball format too. Out of 39 Tests, batting predominantly at the top of the order and occasionally at No. 3, he piled up 1797 runs at a modest average of 24.28, with three centuries and four fifties. Kayes last featured in this format way back in 2019 in a day-night Test match at Eden Gardens where Bangladesh were handed a terrible hammering by the hosts India by an innings and 46 runs.

But his record in domestic FC cricket is by far the most formidable. After being involved in the domestic circuit for nearly two decades, Kayes has featured for his domestic side in as many as 137 FC games in which he amassed over 7000 runs with 20 centuries and 27 half-century scores to his name. These are some commendable stats and the former Bangladeshi top-order opener can certainly take pride in maintaining such an accomplished track record.

His opening partnership with Tamim Iqbal

More than his personal milestones, Kayes is highly renowned for the partnership that he shared with Tamim at the top of the order. The duo formed one of the most successful opening stands for Bangladesh in ODI and Test cricket. During Bangladesh's formative years, the pair would often get Bangladesh off to a blazing start with Tamim playing the role of the aggressor while Kayes would be keen to play the anchoring role to hold one end intact.

They remain Bangladesh's most prolific opening pair by far, having added 2336 runs in 53 innings. The second-best opening pair for Bangladesh is between Javed Omar and Nafees Iqbal who have added 665 runs between them.  The average first-wicket partnership between Imrul and Tamim amounts to 45.8 which is by far the best for any Bangladesh opening pair.

Imrul and Tamim notched up four century opening stands escorting Bangladesh out of precarious situations in quite a few instances. The first of the lot was an unbelievable 185-run stand at Lords on a difficult seaming wicket while the last one was a world record stand of 312 runs in the fourth innings against Pakistan in 2015 which helped the Tigers save the Test match despite conceding a mammoth lead of 296 runs. With that stand, the pair went on to register their names in the record books as that was the only 300-plus opening stand to have ever been recorded in the fourth innings of a Test match.

Imrul is currently 70 runs away from reaching the milestone of 8000 runs in first-class cricket. He will have the opportunity to achieve this accomplishment in Mirpur, where his final match is set to commence on November 16.

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Faruque Ahmed, has stated that the board cannot guarantee Shakib Al Hasan the personal security he requested in order to play his final Test match at home. Shakib, who announced earlier today that the Dhaka Test against South Africa in October will be his last, raised concerns about his safety upon returning to Bangladesh.

Shakib’s final Test in doubt amid security concerns

Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh’s cricketing icons, expressed his desire to play his last Test match on home soil, provided that Cricket South Africa (CSA) proceeds with the tour of Bangladesh. However, uncertainty surrounds the tour due to political unrest in Bangladesh during July and August, which led to the deaths of hundreds of people in anti-government protests.

Shakib, who was a member of parliament in the Awami League-led government—the target of these protests—has not returned to Bangladesh since the fall of the government on August 5. The cricketer was named as one of 147 individuals in a murder case linked to the protests. With these legal and security challenges in mind, Shakib requested the BCB to provide assurances of his safety if he returns for the Test.

Speaking on the matter, BCB president Faruque Ahmed clarified that the board cannot ensure Shakib’s personal security, stating, "Shakib's security is not in the board's hand. The board can't provide an individual with personal security. He has to take a decision on that. His security has to come from the highest level of the government."

BCB’s limited role in security and Shakib’s future

Faruque also emphasized that the BCB is not a security agency, such as the police or Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and therefore lacks the authority to handle matters related to Shakib’s legal case. "Since his case is a sub-judice matter, we can't really do much about it," he added.

Despite these concerns, Faruque acknowledged the emotional weight of Shakib’s decision but refrained from attempting to change his mind. “Shakib is going through a difficult phase of his life. I didn't try to talk him out of the retirement. He thought that this was the right time for him to retire. I respect his decision," he said.

Shakib’s legal standing in Bangladesh remains uncertain, but Bangladesh’s law adviser, Asif Nazrul, previously commented that he hopes Shakib would not face arrest if he returns to play. This sentiment was echoed by the BCB's cricket operations chief, Shahriar Nafees, who expressed confidence in Shakib’s safety based on these assurances from government officials.

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During a press conference in Kanpur, Shakib reiterated his concerns about safety. "I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn't have any problem going back to Bangladesh," he said. "But my concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it."

As Shakib’s potential final Test looms, the cricketing world awaits to see whether he will be able to fulfill his wish of bidding farewell on Bangladeshi soil. For now, his future remains uncertain, contingent on both the CSA tour and assurances from the highest levels of government regarding his safety.

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the competition. Among the participating teams, Bangladesh stands out with a unique blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent.

The Bangladesh squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 is a balanced mix of experience and youth. While there are areas that need improvement, the team has the potential to make a significant impact on the tournament.

With strategic planning and execution, Bangladesh can overcome its weaknesses and threats to harness its strengths and opportunities. The journey promises to be exciting, and cricket fans will be eagerly watching how the team performs on this grand stage.

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Bangladesh, in Group D, open their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 8 in Dallas before heading to New York to play South Africa (June 10), and then to St Vincent to take on Netherlands (June 13) and Nepal (June 16). They will also play two warm- up games, against USA on May 28, and opposite India on June 1 before the main tournament.

SWOT Analysis of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Strengths

One of Bangladesh’s biggest strengths is their experienced core, led by the ever-reliable Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib’s all-round abilities bring balance to the team, offering both batting stability and crucial breakthroughs with the ball. His wealth of experience in international cricket, particularly in high-stakes matches, is invaluable for guiding the younger players.

Young talents like Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy inject youthful energy and fearlessness into the squad. Tanzid Hasan has already shown promise in the few T20Is he has played, displaying a knack for aggressive starts. Towhid Hridoy’s fearless approach can be a game-changer, especially in high-pressure situations where quick runs are needed.

Bangladesh’s spin department is another formidable asset. Led by Shakib Al Hasan and supported by Mahedi Hasan and Tanvir Islam, this spin trio can effectively exploit turning tracks. Their ability to control the middle overs and take crucial wickets will be key to Bangladesh’s success in the tournament.

Weaknesses

A major concern for Bangladesh is their inconsistent batting, particularly at the top of the order. Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar have struggled for form, creating instability in the opening partnership. Although Tanzid Hasan has shown potential, his limited experience makes the opening pair vulnerable.

While Taskin Ahmed spearheads the pace attack, there needs to be more depth in the fast-bowling department. The squad lacks a proven fast bowler who can consistently deliver in the death overs, which could be problematic against stronger batting lineups.

Bangladesh’s fielding has been a persistent issue, with dropped catches and misfields often costing them crucial runs. Improving fielding standards will be essential to complement their bowling efforts and maintain pressure on the opposition.

Opportunities

The T20 World Cup 2024, being hosted in the USA and the Caribbean, offers Bangladesh a unique opportunity to showcase its talent on a global stage. This exposure can boost the players’ confidence and attract international attention to their cricketing prowess.

Often underestimated, Bangladesh can leverage the underdog advantage. Playing without the heavy burden of expectations allows them to perform more freely and pull off upsets against more favored teams.

Playing in diverse conditions across different USA and Caribbean venues can help Bangladesh adapt and strategize effectively. This adaptability will benefit them not only in this tournament but also in future international tours.

Threats

Bangladesh faces tough competition from teams with stronger T20 reputations. The psychological and on-field challenges these stronger opponents pose could be intimidating and impact their performance.

Injuries to key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have previously hampered Bangladesh’s campaigns. Ensuring these players remain fit and available throughout the tournament will be crucial for the team’s success.

Weather interruptions, such as the cancellation of warm-up matches, can disrupt the team’s momentum and strategy. Unpredictable weather conditions in the Caribbean could pose a threat to their campaign.

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Taskin Ahmed (vice-capt), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan
Traveling reserves: Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain

Bangladesh Cricket has made a significant move by bringing in former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as their new spin bowling coach ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Mushtaq is set to join the team during their upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe and will continue through the World Cup hosted in the West Indies and USA.

Mushtaq Ahmed’s Background

Mushtaq Ahmed, a name revered in cricket circles, boasts an illustrious playing career followed by a robust coaching resume that includes stints with England, West Indies, and Pakistan. His experience and success in nurturing top-class spinners are expected to be invaluable for the Bangladesh team.

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The Role of a Spin Bowling Coach

The spin bowling coach is pivotal in developing effective strategies and enhancing the skill set of the team’s spinners. Mushtaq’s role will primarily involve analyzing performance data, providing tactical guidance, and fine-tuning the bowlers’ techniques to exploit the playing conditions optimally.

“It is a great honour for me to be a part of the Bangladesh cricket team as a spin bowling coach. I am looking forward to the role and want to pass my experience to the players because they are very coach-able and I always believe that they are one of the most dangerous teams around. They can beat anyone because they have the capability, the resources and the talent. I will try to instill that belief into them. I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the team,” Mushtaq Ahmed said in a statement released by BCB.

Preparation for the T20 World Cup

The upcoming series against Zimbabwe serves as the perfect platform for Mushtaq to begin his tenure and set the groundwork for the World Cup. This series will be crucial for assessing the team’s current capabilities and identifying areas of improvement.

The pitch conditions in the West Indies and the USA tend to favor spin bowling. Mushtaq’s experience and knowledge of playing in similar conditions will be vital in preparing the spinners to exploit these conditions effectively.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named former national team captain Habibul Bashar as the head of women’s cricket, effective Tuesday, February 20. Habibul, who previously served on the national selection panel from 2016 to 2024, officially took on his new role during a meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The meeting, chaired by Nadel Chowdhury, focused on outlining future strategies for women’s cricket

Nadel Chowdhury expressed his confidence in Habibul’s appointment, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the women’s wing. He highlighted Habibul’s extensive experience and leadership qualities, considering them valuable assets for the development of women’s cricket in Bangladesh.

Habibul’s Vision for School Cricket Development

In his new capacity, Habibul will be responsible for strategic planning, while David Moore, BCB’s program head, will handle communications with other cricket boards and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Together, under Habibul’s leadership, they aim to enhance the operational aspects of women’s cricket.

Excited about his new role, Habibul acknowledged the recent successes of women’s cricket as a motivating factor behind his decision. He expressed a keen interest in promoting women’s cricket at the grassroots level, particularly focusing on establishing school cricket programs for girls. Habibul emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for female cricketers and involving current players in outreach efforts to schools.

Looking ahead, BCB plans to introduce franchise cricket for women, which Habibul believes will significantly boost the profile and development of women’s cricket. He stressed the need for increased focus and investment in women’s cricket, suggesting that more matches and tournaments, including T20 competitions, would be beneficial.

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Habibul also outlined plans for providing scholarships to female cricketers, similar to those offered to male players for training abroad. He expressed optimism about collaborating with David Moore to implement various development initiatives aimed at nurturing talent and enhancing performance in women’s cricket.

In conclusion, Habibul expressed his enthusiasm for the future of women’s cricket in Bangladesh and his commitment to implementing strategies that would facilitate its growth and success.

On Sunday, a BCB official revealed that Tamim Iqbal, the former ODI skipper of Bangladesh, has formally requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board not to include him in the upcoming central contract list. This appeal follows Tamim’s previous statement, indicating that he would determine the future of his international career after discussions with BCB President Nazmul Hassan. Their previous meeting was cut short due to the BCB president’s commitments to the upcoming general election campaign.

Tamim, who last played for Bangladesh in the three-match home ODI series against New Zealand in September before the ICC World Cup in India, participated in only one Test and 12 ODIs in 2023. The 34-year-old chose to make himself unavailable for the World Cup due to disagreements with BCB leadership and team management. Consequently, he did not feature in the home Test series against New Zealand or the ongoing tour.

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Despite his absence, Tamim clarified last month that he intends to make a comeback to competitive cricket through the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, the nation’s exclusive franchise-based T20 tournament, scheduled to commence on January 19.

Jalal Yunus, the chairman of BCB cricket operations, shared that Tamim expressed his personal plans and requested not to be included in the central contract list. He further mentioned that Tamim is expected to meet with the BCB president after the national election to determine the subsequent steps. The finalization of the central contract list by BCB is anticipated by December 31, pending approval from the BCB president.