Bangladesh’s promising wicketkeeper and batsman Akbar Ali has achieved a new milestone in his cricket journey by completing the Level Two coaching certification offered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). At only 23 years of age, the former Under-19 World Cup-winning captain is showing signs of maturity beyond his years by looking at the game not only as a player but also as someone eager to learn the deeper details of cricket.
Akbar, who guided Bangladesh to their historic ICC Under-19 World Cup title in 2020, recently stepped away for a short period from the Bangladesh Cricket Board High Performance programme. During that time, he travelled to England to take part in the specialised course. For him, the programme was an opportunity to learn about cricket from a new angle. It allowed him to think about the sport from both the perspective of a player who performs on the field and a coach who studies the game closely.
The course was designed to give participants a wide range of skills. It included training on batting and bowling techniques, planning tactical approaches, improving mental strength under pressure, and learning the art of handling players within a team. By completing the programme, Akbar has gained insights that he believes will help him become a better cricketer and also prepare him for a future role in leadership and mentoring, according to his statements to the Daily Sun.
In many cricket-playing nations, players often take up coaching education in the middle stages of their careers to strengthen their understanding of the game. Akbar, however, has decided to begin this journey earlier. This step reflects his desire to develop faster and his willingness to go the extra mile in order to improve both his own performance and his ability to contribute to his team.
Since his teenage years, Akbar has been a part of Bangladesh’s cricket structure and has been recognised for his leadership qualities. At present, he is working on improving his consistency with the bat while also sharpening his wicketkeeping skills. He feels that the knowledge gained from this course will not only benefit his individual game but also add value to his role as a team player and leader.
By successfully completing the ECB Level Two programme, Akbar Ali has shown his commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement. His decision to invest time in such training highlights his long-term vision for the game. With his experience as a captain, his growing maturity as a player, and now an advanced understanding of technical and tactical aspects, Akbar stands out as a figure who could contribute greatly to the future of Bangladesh cricket.