Bangladesh national cricket team coach Russell Domingo (L) makes a point to all-rounder Sakib al Hasan during a training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. — BCB photo
Newly-appointed Bangladesh national head coach Russell Domingo on Saturday held a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations chief Akram Khan and members of selection committee to discuss the future course of action.
Bangladesh Test and Twenty20 captain Sakib al Hasan was also present in the meeting, having joined the national team training camp for the first time since the World Cup in UK.
It was Sakib’s first interaction with new coach Domingo, who took over the charge this week on a two-year contract, replacing Englishman Steve Rhodes.
‘We have discussed only one issue, how Bangladesh cricket can be improved, both in home and away,’ Akram told reporters after the meeting.
‘In the past we would think only about home matches. Now we have to think both and for that what are the needful, what should be the role of selectors, what would be demand of skipper, how much I can support them we have discussed them,’ said Akram.
Akram hailed the planning of Domingo, terming the South African an exceptional coach.
‘His thinking is really good. He is a professional coach. He has planning and long experience. I have dealt with many coaches as player, selector and board official. He is exceptional and his planning is really good. I hope if we could assist him, our board co-operates him the standard of our cricket would improve,’ said Akram.
Akram said they were planning to prepare true wicket in Domingo’s first series against Afghanistan, a one-off Test match scheduled from September 5-9 at Chattogram.
‘There will be no big change in our wicket, but we are trying to prepare a true wicket, so that fast bowlers get some advantage and there remain some grasses,’ he said.
Akram indicated that Sakib’s role in the discussion was more of an observer as he came late from United States and was clearly tiered.
‘He was really tired. After coming to home at 3:00am, he came to training in the morning, which is a big thing. He stayed positive. Hopefully, if we can do something good, it will be good for all,’ he said.
Source: New Age.
