During the Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh cricketers enjoyed highly interactive fielding sessions, with rewards such as cash and chocolates for the best performers. Even during matches, standout moments included Nahid Rana receiving a chocolate after returning to the dressing room following a strong spell, while the best fielder of the day was awarded a medal.
The man behind these initiatives was Bangladesh’s interim fielding coach Ashiqur Rahman Mazumder, who regularly brought motivational words written in his own hands to each session. Despite stepping in as a replacement for regular coach James Pamment, he received a warm welcome from the squad.
Speaking exclusively to TIMES of Bangladesh after Bangladesh’s historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan at home, the coach shared insights into his motivation, his philosophy on fielding, and his experience of his first international assignment.
How has the experience been with the national team during this series, particularly since this is your first assignment at the international level?
The experience has been excellent. Although this is my first international assignment, it never felt new as I had already been working with the Tigers setup for the last three to four years. The players, coaching staff and team manager Nafees Iqbal welcomed me warmly from day one. My gratitude also goes to Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Phil Simmons and Mohammad Salahuddin.
Their support made everything easier. What stood out most was the dressing room environment. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto inspired me greatly, while Mushfiqur Rahim motivated me like an elder brother. Every player made me feel part of the group from the start.
The slip catching has improved significantly in this series. At one point, slip catching was considered a vulnerable area for Bangladesh. How do you see this transformation?
At the Bangla Tigers setup, we introduced a rule where each player had to complete 50 slip catches. Repeated conscious practice helps move actions into the subconscious, making reactions automatic.
In this series, the players were outstanding in slip catching, with Shanto leading the group well. What stood out most was their own drive to improve continuously. I simply supported them, like weather supporting a tree with sunlight, water and soil. The real work was done by the players.
That is why I always say, Coaches win nothing, it’s all about the players.
The motivational words written on your hand such as ‘Co-operation’, ‘Purity’, ‘Positivity’ and ‘Team Bonding’ were something very unusual in Bangladesh cricket. What is the philosophy behind it?
I had taken a sports mind training course in Rajasthan, India, focused on concentration, self-control and mental conditioning. As coaches and players, we often face distractions, visualization and negative thoughts, so self-control is very important.
To keep myself focused, I used to write words like positivity or positive energy on my hand. Seeing them before entering the field motivated me internally, because we become what we think and positive thinking creates positive energy.
It was initially just for myself, but Nafees Iqbal noticed it at the breakfast table and asked about it. Later, he and Salahuddin bhai encouraged me to share it in team meetings.
When I explained it to the players, it created a strong positive energy in the group and they responded really well. Since then, it became a regular part of the setup with themes like positivity, purity, concentration, courage and teamwork.
As you have worked in grassroots and age-level, with A Team as well, how do you think your motivational messages and reward system will help improve fielding at the root level of cricket?
The message is that in district and grassroots cricket, the focus is often more on batting and bowling, while fielding is not given equal importance. Introducing a reward system at age-group and academy level can help young players value fielding just as much as the other two skills.
None of the three departments is more important than the other. A team cannot succeed if even one is weak, so all must develop together.
Such a system can build a stronger mindset around fielding and improve standards, potentially creating a real shift in how the game is approached at the grassroots level.
This series also saw Bangladesh converting half chances into full chances. Was that skill or a mental shift?
When a player thinks positively, he starts turning half chances into full chances, as positive thinking sharpens concentration. In a contest like cricket, maintaining a high level of focus is crucial.
What I observed in these two Tests was that the players’ concentration only improved as the matches went on. Their focus was strong on day one, but by day five it became even sharper as they pushed for something special.
Their fitness, discipline and overall preparation were also excellent. Credit goes first to Allah and then entirely to the players.
The fielding sessions looked highly engaging with rewards like chocolates, money and medals. Even senior players like Mushfiqur Rahim participated enthusiastically. Fielding now seems fun while still remaining serious. How do you see that?
Difficult work becomes enjoyable when fun and reward are added. When players know recognition is waiting, their concentration rises and they become more eager to win.
At the core, everything people do is linked to happiness, whether it is earning money, building a family or playing cricket.
The medal system also builds healthy competition, pushing players to perform better in the field. You can clearly see that positive competitive spirit in efforts like Taskin Ahmed’s boundary dives and Nahid Rana’s fielding.
How did the idea come to you?
The idea actually came from my childhood. My coach Wahidul Goni sir used to reward us with chocolates or peanuts after good performances. Later, when I worked with the women’s team, I also introduced chocolates as rewards. Gradually, that evolved into medals and sometimes cash prizes. It creates joy within the team environment. You can say that fielding has become enjoyable. Because fielding is fun.
The dressing room environment was very welcoming throughout the series. The introduction of medals after matches is rare in Bangladesh cricket, though a similar approach was seen in India’s setup under T Dilip during the ODI World Cup.
I wanted to bring that culture into Bangladesh cricket as well, with a bigger aim to inspire players at district and age-level cricket. In many systems, coaching still prioritizes batting and bowling while fielding gets less attention.
If such reward systems are introduced in academies and youth cricket, players will start valuing fielding equally. No team can succeed if one department is weak, so all three must develop together. This can lead to a real fielding revolution in Bangladesh cricket.
Given the team’s progress, can Bangladesh become a world-class fielding side in the future?
That is definitely possible. The message here is that fielding deserves equal importance. If players from a young age start loving fielding and treating it seriously, then it will naturally become part of their mindset and identity.
You may not want to reveal details, but compared to previous series, how would you assess the current fielding report?
I did not focus much on comparing reports. My philosophy is simple. I want to help players solve problems, work hard and work smart. That has always been my approach.
I pray regularly, but I also meditate for around 10 minutes. Meditation helps not only players, but everyone. Whatever we do with full concentration becomes a form of meditation. And whatever we truly love eventually becomes our meditation. If fielding becomes something players genuinely love from an early age, then it can become part of their identity and fielding is like meditation.
