As Bangladesh gears up for their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, preparations have been underway in a somewhat different atmosphere. With the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier game between Bangladesh and Singapore scheduled for June 10, football has momentarily overshadowed cricket, especially with English Premier League star Hamza Chowdhury now part of the Bangladesh squad. Football fever is rampant, while cricket has taken a back seat, highlighted by a sparse media presence during the cricketers’ opening practice session.
This shift in attention has been further compounded by Bangladesh’s recent struggles on the field, contributing to a decline in their popularity. The upcoming Sri Lanka tour is seen as crucial for regaining the confidence of fans, and the team is fully aware of the stakes.
Preparations Without Head Coach Phil Simmons
Bangladesh’s preparations have not been without challenges. Head coach Phil Simmons is yet to arrive and is expected to join the squad on June 11. Meanwhile, Shaun Tait, the newly appointed pace bowling coach, kept busy throughout the session working with pace bowlers Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, and Hasan Mahmud.
Najmul’s Focus on Sweeps and Reverse Sweeps
Skipper Najmul Hossain, however, appeared entirely focused on preparing for the spin-heavy challenges of Sri Lanka, spending significant time playing sweeps and reverse sweeps against throwdown specialists. This suggests that he is fully aware of the threat posed by the island nation’s spinners, a concern that has become a focal point in his preparation.
Explaining his reasoning, Najmul told Cricbuzz, “In Sri Lanka, when the ball is turning, where will we score runs? On a wicket that helps spinners, it is very difficult to survive just by defending. In such conditions, the sweep becomes a form of defense as well as a scoring option. The chances of getting out are much slimmer compared to defending, where you risk being leg before or bowled.”
He continued, “The sweep isn’t something to be used all the time, but it is certainly an effective scoring option, especially when facing bowlers who bowl in good areas for extended periods.”
Najmul also pointed out the importance of advancing with the times, saying, “In Bangladesh, if someone gets out playing the sweep, we often say it’s a bad shot. But if you look at world cricket, the sweep is a shot like the cover drive. It’s a skill that has evolved, and we need to embrace it.”
Training with Shorter Bats for Precision
Another unique aspect of Najmul’s preparation has been his use of shorter bats during training. These bats, smaller than the standard ones used in matches, help with head position and shoulder alignment.
Najmul explained, “The use of a small bat helps correct your head position and shoulder. When you are batting with a small bat, if your shoulder is upright, the ball will go below the bat. But when your head and shoulder are in the right position, you will be able to play the ball in the middle of the bat. This is crucial for Test cricket.”
He added, “You don’t need a coach to tell you when you’re not hitting the ball with the middle of the bat. If that’s the case, it means your head or shoulder position is wrong.”
Leading by Example
With Bangladesh looking to bounce back after a series of disappointing performances, Najmul’s leadership on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour will be key. He will need to lead by example both in terms of his batting and his mentality, guiding the team to regain their lost confidence.
The Bangladesh team will depart for Sri Lanka on June 13 to play the series, which will feature two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
