Domingo on course as speedsters promise bright future

When Russell Domingo was appointed as head coach for the Bangladesh National team, one of his main objectives was to replenish a depleted fast-bowling stock. 

Wish Mashrafe Bin Mortaza nearing his swansong from international cricket and fast bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman struggling with form and fitness, the future looked bleak for the fast bowlers.

However, a year later, it's the speedsters that have been impressing the most with cricket returning to the country after the Covid-19 hiatus via the BCB President's Cup.

Taskin has regained his fitness and is bowling with pace and fire and Mustafiz has also looked in good rhythm. 

The likes of Rubel Hossain has also impressed with his pace and consistency while new names like Shoriful Islam and Sumon Khan have had their moment in the sun. 

The latest to impress was Mohammad Saifuddin, who took a five-for in his last game for Tamim XI against Najmul XI. 

The work that the fast bowlers have been doing has not gone unnoticed by Domingo and he has been delighted with their progress.

"We wanted to increase our fast bowling stock and we have managed to do that. That was in the plans when I came here and so far the fast bowlers like Taskin, Mustafiz, Rubel (Hossain), Shoriful (Islam) and Saifuddin have done that," Domingo said at a press conference.

Although the bowlers have been doing well, the top-order batsmen have failed to impress.

Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad have all played innings' of substance but the likes of Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar have not been able to regain their form.

Domingo was not too worried about it and he believed that those batsmen deserved more time to get back in full flow. 

"Listen, they are playing after almost seven months and it will take them time to adjust and be back to their best. They need more game time and match practice but we have to once again give credit to the bowlers for the way they've gone about things and made life really difficult for the batsmen," the South African explained. 

With many players from the under-19 World Cup-winning side being given a chance to play in the tournament, the head coach emphasised on the importance of not rushing the players into international cricket.

Many have been wondering what the next step for Akbar Ali and co would be and he believes that giving them proper exposure to domestic cricket is the way to go. 

"You want to prepare these players properly. You can't expect them to be playing the fast-bowling of Jofra Archer in England overnight. There has to be a process and we are doing the best to make sure we can give them that platform so that they can go on to do well in the international arena," Domingo concluded.