Bangladesh’s High Performance (HP) programme is set for a busy period, with teams scheduled to tour three different destinations in the coming months.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has accordingly mapped out three separate units, with the HP side touring South Africa, another squad heading to Australia for the Top End T20, and the Bangladesh ‘A’ team also travelling to South Africa.
An official involved with the HP programme told Times of Bangladesh, “We have three tours scheduled at the moment. One HP team will travel to South Africa, another team will go to Australia to play in the Top End T20, and the Bangladesh ‘A’ team will also tour South Africa.”
The Bangladesh ‘A’ team is expected to leave for South Africa on 27 July as part of the BCB’s plans to groom the country’s next generation of cricketers. Meanwhile Darwin is set to host another edition of the Top End T20 later in August, with players for that assignment expected to join the HP camp in late July.
A 22-member HP squad reported to the BCB Academy Ground on Wednesday, initially focusing on fitness work before shifting to skill-based training. The skill camp is set to begin on 4 July.
With three tours scheduled within a short span, the BCB has decided to operate with separate coaching setups. The three units will work under different coaching panels led by Abdur Razzak, Sohel Islam and Corey Collymore.
The same official added, “Since these three tours are taking place at the same time, we have formed three separate coaching panels. The idea is not only to develop the players but also to enhance the experience of our coaches. That’s why we have divided them into three different units.”
HP committee chairman Shanain Taneem said the programme is now being treated with the same importance as the national team setup and confirmed that there will be no age restrictions for selection.
“First of all, it serves as the pathway to the national side. Secondly, there is no age restriction in the HP setup anymore. Anybody can be a part of the HP programme. Anyone who is in the pipeline or considered close to the national team will be taken into consideration for the HP squad,” he said.
The previous HP camps in Rajshahi and Chattogram were heavily affected by rain, preventing outdoor practice, while limited indoor facilities also created difficulties. This time, however, the BCB is determined to keep preparations on track.
Shanian, who is also a BCB director and grounds committee chairman, said, “For us, this is part of the preparations for the national team, so we consider it very seriously. That’s why, even if it rains, we want to stick to our camp schedule. Since we have already set our calendar, we do not want to deviate from it.”
