Bangladesh have not moved forward in 25 years, says ex-coach

Stuart Law, former Australia batter and current head coach of the USA, said that Bangladesh cricket has not seen progress in this millennium after the Tigers made a great first impression in a global event with a win against Pakistan, the eventual runners-up of the ODI World Cup in 1999.  

Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by USA and the West Indies from June 1, Law said, "Bangladesh haven't moved forward in 25 years."

Law, who had been the head coach of Bangladesh for a short stint in 2011-2012, has observed Bangladesh cricket closely over the years. The Australian had recently guided the Bangladesh U-19 team before he took over the helm of the USA team days before they faced off Bangladesh in three T20Is at home, stunning the visitors to win the series with a game in hand.

Stuart Law [L] with Bangladesh U-19 team captain Mahfizur Rahman Rabby ahead of the U-19 World Cup 2024. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

The Tigers, who are yet to advance to the knockout stage of the competition after having participated in all the editions of the T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, face a strong challenge this time, needing to win at least one match in their first two group matches -- against Sri Lanka and South Africa -- to stay in the hunt for a progress in the next round.

'Nail that young development phase'

Law pointed out that the Bangladesh cricket administration should reflect on the fact that "whatever they have been doing hasn't worked, and they need to find out what needs to happen to make them tick".

"Maybe it is time to sit back and think, 'This is the way we have been doing it, it hasn't been working, we haven't moved forward – maybe we need to do it slightly differently'.

"That's not talking down the current administration, but they need to look at all aspects of the game," he reiterated.

The 55-year-old coach recommends focusing on the youth to steer Bangladesh to a level of excellence.

"If Bangladesh can nail that young development phase, get them in from the ages of 12 to 16 and give them a good diet and a good grounding of physical fitness, then the world could see a Bangladesh team that is untouchable," he said.