Bangladesh’s national squad regrouped on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, starting a fitness camp to shake off a long break and build towards the Bangladesh T20 Cup in early February.
The calendar looks quiet, but the work has not stopped. With no international cricket before the home series against Pakistan in March, the board has pushed players back into structure and routine rather than letting form drift.
The camp ran from late morning to early afternoon and pulled in players from all three formats. Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shariful Islam all took part, setting a serious tone.
Coaches kept things simple on day one. They focused heavily on running, aerobic work and movement patterns, a clear signal that conditioning comes before bat and ball.
The timing matters. The Bangladesh T20 Cup begins on 5 February and runs through to 8 February, all at Mirpur, giving players competitive cricket after weeks away from match intensity.
The tournament also carries financial weight. The board announced a prize pool of 25 million taka, aiming to offset losses suffered after Bangladesh pulled out of World Cup participation due to security concerns.
Three teams will contest the event. Litton Das leads Dhumketu XI, Najmul Hossain Shanto captains Durbar XI, and Akbar Ali takes charge of Duronto XI, with squads still to be finalised.
Selectors plan to blend national players with A team and HP cricketers. That mix should raise standards and add edge to a short, sharp competition.
The board has dressed the tournament as more than cricket. Each match will feature cultural programmes in the afternoon, while ticket prices remain accessible to pull crowds back into the stands.
