BCB revamps HP programme to bridge gap to international cricket

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revamped its High Performance (HP) programme, seeking to address a persistent weakness in the country's cricket development system - the difficulty of turning promising domestic and age-group players into consistent performers at international level.

The revised programme will provide a structured environment for elite cricketers to sharpen their skills, address technical weaknesses and prepare for national team opportunities. It will also support players returning from injuries or periods of poor form, while ensuring that those already in the national side continue developing when they are not involved in international assignments.

"The main objective is to keep them in cricket all the year round so that they make them ready for international-level cricket always," BCB assistant general manager Rabeed Imam said.

Under the new approach, coaches and analysts will assess players' performances after each series, identify areas for improvement and use the HP programme to address specific shortcomings.

The coaching structure is also being strengthened. Bangladesh national team senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin has taken charge as HP head coach, with Sohel Islam serving as senior HP coach. Former national left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has joined the coaching staff, while Corey Collymore has been appointed pace-bowling coach.

The programme will also place greater emphasis on injury management and rehabilitation, particularly for fast bowlers, whose development and availability have frequently been disrupted by physical setbacks.

The BCB is exploring ways to improve medical support, workload monitoring and rehabilitation, helping players return to bowling gradually and safely.

Another priority is to ease the transition from age-group and domestic cricket to the senior national team. Players who excel at junior level often struggle when exposed to international standards, while successful domestic performers can find it difficult to maintain their form against stronger opposition.

The revamped programme aims to prepare them earlier for those demands.

Bangladesh's HP activities this year have included multi-format cricket against Zimbabwe A, an overseas tour by the Emerging Team to South Africa and participation in Australia's Top End T20 tournament.

The board is also planning a dedicated women's HP unit and exploring bilateral series against other countries to provide more competitive opportunities.

Launched in 2004, the HP programme has helped develop players including Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad. The latest overhaul seeks to build on that legacy by creating a more comprehensive development pathway, with the programme potentially evolving into a full-fledged cricket academy.