Bangladesh national cricket team selector Habibul Bashar believes the team need to work more on the improvement of mental skills before playing a global event like the World Cup where pressure and expectations are high.
The Tigers clinched a morale-boosting three-wicket win over Sri Lanka Monday in New Delhi in a high-tempered clash where the timed out dismissal of Lankan middle-order batsman Angelo Mathews was the major talking point throughout the match.
Eventually the cricket world was divided in opinions whether Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan should have withdrawn the appeal.
Although Bangladesh have already been knocked out of the World Cup, the win against the island nation was very important in the context of qualification for the next Champions Trophy in 2025 in Pakistan.
The top eight teams in the ongoing World Cup, including Pakistan who qualify automatically as hosts, after the end of the group stage will advance to the Champions Trophy.
Bangladesh traveled to Pune from the Indian capital Tuesday but Shakib was ruled out from the last game against Australia due to left index finger injury.
Opener Liton Das also took a leave for family reasons again and returned to Dhaka alongside Shakib Tuesday.
The rest of the team had a relaxing day Wednesday as there was no training session.
It was learnt that the players are feeling a bit relieved after ending their six-match losing streak with the win over Sri Lanka.
Now the last encounter will be against five-time world champions Australia who have just won a remarkable match banking on Glenn Maxwell’s stunning and incredible unbeaten double century in the run chase against Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh team selector Bashar shared his thoughts on the importance of mental strength along with cricketing skills in Pune Wednesday.
“I think we have to work more on improving our mental skills before coming to any global event. All the other teams take a lot of preparation before the World Cup. We also took many preparations. But in this kind of tournament, you need a strong and tough mentality. From now on, we have to work on the betterment of our mental strength before coming to this kind of tournament,” Bashar said.
“I think regarding the skill set, nothing has changed. Before the World Cup, these players played well and performed for us. But we were not able to maintain our good form in the World Cup. So, I don’t think there is a problem with the skill set. We need to work on how we can be mentally strong even in tough times and situations.
“We had sessions with psychologists before. But this has to start a bit earlier. Particularly our young players need this kind of session more throughout the year.”
Bashar said Bangladesh will definitely miss their injured captain but have to deal with it to finish the tournament on a good note, and confirm Champions Trophy qualification.
“Definitely Shakib will be missed. He is the captain and best all-rounder who performs for the team with both bat and ball. Shakib’s replacement is not possible actually. But we can’t do much with injury. We have to play without him as he is injured.”
