This Saturday marked a significant moment for the Bangladesh national cricket team as they commenced their training for the forthcoming five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe. The venue for this preparation was none other than the historic Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS), which holds a special place in the annals of Bangladesh cricket.
Prior to 2006, Bangabandhu Stadium served as the cradle of Bangladesh cricket until all such activities were relocated to the more modern Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Post-handover to the Bangladesh Football Federation, the echo of cricket bats striking balls had faded from BNS until this weekend.
The athletic turf of the stadium was brought to life again by the sounds of 35 national cricketers attending a rigorous fitness session. Notable among the attendees were Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who have previously played at this stadium, giving them a nostalgic return to their old playground.
This reunion with BNS stirred quite a buzz among the local populace of old Dhaka, where the stadium is situated. Residents gathered in significant numbers to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes in action, an unusual sight early in the morning, driven by the charm and history of the venue.
Adding to the sentimentality, Shahriar Nafees, former national team opener and now Deputy Manager of BCB Cricket Operations, shared his emotional journey. “My first footsteps on this ground were back in 1994, observing the icons of our sport. Every corner here tells a story, not just for cricketers but for athletes across various sports who have competed here,” Nafees expressed post-session.
The fitness training, managed under the supervision of Nathan Kiely, BCB’s newly appointed strength and conditioning coach, was rigorous and aimed at evaluating the physical status of the cricketers after their recent engagements in domestic tournaments like the BPL and DPL. The session included a 1600-meter run followed by a 40-meter sprint, with the purpose to decipher their endurance and sprint capacities respectively.
“The decision to utilize an athletics track was deliberate to ensure accurate timing needed for maintaining international training standards,” explained Iftekharul Islam, BCB’s senior trainer. He emphasized that while they do not follow a pass or fail system, these exercitations are vital in understanding the players’ present fitness levels to tailor individual training regimens.
Despite the optimal turnout, three players were unable to participate. Soumya Sarkar and Taijul Islam were sidelined owing to knee injuries, while Shakib Al Hasan was in the USA with his family.
At the conclusion of this testing, Nahid Rana and Tanjim Shakib emerged as the top performers in the 1600-meter run. The session provided a wealth of data, based on which customized training plans will be developed to enhance individual performance parameters.
Beyond the field, BNS’s reconnection with cricket, albeit brief, has revived a realm of memories for players and fans alike. The players are expected to continue their preparations back at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium with a focus on fine-tuning their skills ahead of the Zimbabwe series scheduled from May 3-12.
The return to Bangabandhu National Stadium, even if for a fleeting fitness session, has rekindled a connection with an integral piece of Bangladesh’s cricket heritage, evoking sentiments and inspiring performances. As Bangladesh cricket looks forward, it also takes a moment to glance back at its foundational days at BNS, blending the past with the present in preparation for future challenges.