Cricketers to undergo mental training before WI tour

Bangladesh national team cricketers will undergo mental training or psychological skills training sessions before they catch the flight to West Indies, said Bangladesh Cricket Board director Jalal Yunus.

Jalal, chairman of the cricket operations committee at the BCB, told The Business Post that the psychologists from the Bangladesh Armed Forces, who are involved in the recruitment process, will conduct sessions.

“Psychologists, involved in the Officer recruitment process in the defence forces during the Inter-Services Selection Board, will conduct sessions with the cricketers. We are very privileged because normally they do not involve themselves outside the military matters,” he said on Monday.

Before the Sri Lanka series, the coaching staff members had a meeting with the BCB President Nazmul Hassan, and they opined that Bangladesh cricketers lack the mental strength to play for 10 days or more.

Even during the Test series, Shakib Al Hasan told the media in a post-match press conference that Bangladesh cricketers are physically fit but lack mental strength.

“I think we are physically fit, but we are behind mentally. We have to work on our mentality. I think there’s a fear of failure among us. If we think otherwise, we might get better results,” he told the media.

Even the head coach Russel Domingo said after the defeat against Sri Lanka that Bangladesh is losing from suitable positions several times because of making crucial mistakes at crunch moments.

“Sri Lanka were six down, but they end up drawing. West Indies chased down 400. We were 180 ahead against Pakistan, five down, and lost four wickets. There are so many small mistakes we are making at crucial stages. But hopefully, with experience, there will be a bit more confidence. But you need to win some games to get that confidence,” he said after the end of the Test against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.

To overcome the mental barrier, BCB is seeking help from psychologists, said Jalal.

“We wanted to initiate the process during the Sri Lanka series, but the players were busy and tired. Therefore, we could not accommodate the sessions. Now, before they go to West Indies, we will try to accommodate sessions for the players. If not everyone, we will try it for as many as possible.

“The military psychologists are very skilled. They are also well informed about the players and have also done some profiling. They are ready to help. We are delaying because the players were busy,” said Jalal.

The Business Post has learned that a Lieutenant Colonel and two Wing Commanders will assess the cricketers before they leave for West Indies.

This is not the first time BCB is taking the help of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to enhance the skillset of the cricketers.

In 2007, before the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, the cricketers were sent to the School of Infantry and Tactics, Sylhet to undergo commando training.

There, the cricketers went through tough training where they experienced free-fall jumping, rappelling, and various other drills done by the commandos during their training.