Tight security won’t be tough for Tigers: Domingo

Head coach of Bangladesh National Cricket team Russell Domingo has said he will start to sort out the national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup from the ensuing Pakistan series beginning on 24 January, reports UNB.

Bangladesh will have to compete in the first round of the event in group B with Namibia, the Netherlands and Scotland. All the first-round matches of Bangladesh will be held at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

“The World Cup squad is not finalised yet. We have some young players in our team. This is the first time I’m going to work with the boy like Hasan Mahmud. I’ve seen his performance in the net with the emerging team. It’s a young group of the players which is exciting for me.”

Obviously some of the players can make a big call going to the World Cup squad, Domingo said while talking to reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday during the first day of the practice camp before flying to Pakistan.

Domingo is the only foreign member of the Bangladesh coaching staff, who will tour with the national team in Pakistan while the others are not interested to go to Pakistan for personal reasons.

Domingo said it was easy for him to decide to go to Pakistan as the head coach of the Tigers. “I’ve signed up with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to continuously coach the team and monitor the performance. So, I’m going to Pakistan with the team. I’ve never been there, so it’s a good opportunity to learn and see how the game of cricket works in that country,” Domingo further said.

Due to security concerns, Bangladesh are reluctant to stay in Pakistan for a longer period of time. To avoid a long stay, BCB scheduled the whole tour in three different phases.

In the first phase, both teams will lock horns in a three-match T20 series. After that, they will face each other in a Test match, and in the third and final phase, both teams will play one ODI and the second Test of the series.

According to the reports of Pakistani media, there will be more than 10,000 cops deployed to ensure the security of the Bangladesh team.

Domingo believes the situation will not disturb the concentration of the players.

“I don’t think it (the tight security) will be tough for the boys. When you’re facing a bowler, there’s nothing else to think about except a ball or when you’re bowling there you have nothing else to think except landing the bowl in the right area. We’ll be fine with that. We’re looking forward to the series,” the Bangladesh head coach said.

There are five players in the Bangladesh squad for Pakistan tour who have played as the openers in the just-concluded Bangabandhu BPL. But in the national team, they have to bat changing their positions. According to the Bangladesh coach, it will not be a problem for the players to cope up in a new batting position.

“The best players in the world can play in any position. It’s great learning for some of those young players to try and find different sting to their game. Liton may have to bat at four while Mithun may have to bat at lower of the order, and Afif may have to open,” Domingo explained.