Bangladesh head coach for the Asian Games, Mohammad Salahuddin has urged his players to focus fully on their Asian Games quarter-final against Malaysia rather than look too far ahead, stressing the importance of handling pressure in the knockout stage.
Bangladesh will face Malaysia in the last eight in Japan, with Salahuddin aware of the challenges posed by a side he knows well from his time working in Malaysia.
“I worked in Malaysia for a long time, so we have a reasonable understanding of Malaysian cricket,” Salahuddin said.
The coach also recalled Malaysia’s strong performance when the two sides met at the same stage of the previous Asian Games, warning his players not to underestimate their opponents. During Asian Games 2023, Bangladesh managed to get a two runs win in a low scoring thriller.
“In tournaments like this, upsets can happen. The toss can also become a factor. That is why every match is very important. We cannot assume that we have already won. We have to go out there and earn the victory,” he said.
Salahuddin believes Bangladesh’s main strength in T20 cricket lies in the familiarity within the squad. The players have spent considerable time together and understand their individual responsibilities, which he feels can help them execute their plans under pressure.
“Our biggest strength is that these players have been playing together for a long time. They understand what each person’s role is,” he said.
The coach also highlighted the significance of the Asian Games, where Bangladesh’s men are looking to deliver after the women’s team missed out on a medal.
He rejected the idea that the occasion could be taken lightly, saying the entire country is watching and expecting success.
“If you want to play cricket at the highest level, you have to learn to deal with pressure,” Salahuddin said. “Being able to handle pressure is a sign of a top player and a top team.”
With weather potentially threatening the quarter-final, Salahuddin made clear that Bangladesh would prefer to play rather than advance without taking the field. He said limited preparation opportunities make competitive matches particularly valuable.
“We need to play the quarter-final first. It is a pressure match because it is a knockout game. There will always be pressure in the knockout stage,” he said.
“We need to remain serious about that match. We can think about the next one afterwards.”
