Bangladesh entered the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 full of hope and ambition, but after disappointing defeats against India and New Zealand, their aspirations for semifinal glory have been dashed. Ahead of their final group match against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the team's senior assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, reflected on their preparation, which he acknowledged was far from ideal.
Since mid-December the previous year, Bangladesh had not played any international cricket due to the Bangladesh Premier League, a domestic T20 franchise tournament, and managed to squeeze only one 50-over warm-up game against Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A) in Dubai, which they lost by seven wickets.
“I will just say maybe our preparation wasn’t ideal,” Salahuddin stated. “I believe this was a major factor. When you play international cricket, you have to adapt quickly. You might play Test cricket, but at the same time, you may also have to play T20s and ODIs.” Recognizing the shortcomings, he added, “This is not an excuse, and I don’t want to give any.”
According to Salahuddin, the mental resilience required to transition between the different formats is pivotal for success. “If we can do this, we will perform more effectively at this level,” he noted. He emphasized Bangladesh's potential as a strong ODI team, positing, “I still wouldn’t say we have no future in this format.”
Reflecting on their dismal performances, Bangladesh faltered for brief periods, costing them dearly. “We played poorly for just 30 minutes, and it cost us the game,” he lamented, highlighting the need for improvement. Players like Zaker and Towhid Hridoy demonstrated resilience during their first match, and there were positive signals with performances from Shanto and Zaker, particularly when the team was around 50 runs short but still capable of making up the deficit.
Comparing their recent batting output with historic trends, it became apparent how significantly Bangladesh has regressed. The team scored only 228 against India and managed to gather just 240 runs against New Zealand, a stark reminder of the challenges they face as teams around the world consistently surpass 350 runs.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, kicking off on February 19, is set to be played on the flatter pitches of the subcontinent which traditionally lend themselves to high-scoring matches. This tournament is anticipated to witness remarkable displays of batting and has consistently featured thrilling contests over the years.
Historically, the ICC Champions Trophy has produced some outstanding individual performances, particularly with batters topping the scoring charts. Interestingly, the list of the highest run scorers includes legendary players. Chris Gayle leads the list with 791 runs from 17 matches, followed by Mahela Jayawardene and Shikhar Dhawan, showing the kind of competitive spirit and skill required to excel.
Virat Kohli, one of the most consistent performers, has already made his mark, with 651 runs from 15 matches, positioning him well to challenge Gayle's record. His best score of 100, achieved against Pakistan, showcases why he remains one of the players to watch.
The upcoming match against Pakistan will be pivotal for Bangladesh. With their chances of progressing hinging on their performance, Salahuddin's sentiments shed light on the necessity of adjusting both mentally and strategically. Recognizing the need for improvement is the first step; implementing it effectively will determine if Bangladesh can turn the tide and make the most of the Champions Trophy.