What Happened in the Fitness Test: Riyad and Shamim Fall Behind

This morning, as dawn broke, 35 cricketers from the Bangladesh national cricket team gathered at the Bangabandhu National Football Stadium in Gulistan for sprints and time trials. Riyad and Shamim struggled notably during the 1600 meter run, a key test of stamina.

Iftikhar Islam Ifti, the new trainer for the team, shared his insights after the session. "This test helped us understand the current state of the players. It's not about passing or failing. We're past the DPL and BPL seasons, and now we need to assess their fitness levels to determine what specific training each player requires. We will inform them and apply what we've learned," he explained.

Choosing an athletics track for the trial was strategic, emphasizing the importance of accurate timing. "If we adhere to international standards, several testing methods are available. We conducted a 1600 meter time trial today. If it weren't on an athletics track, proper timing might be compromised, as precision is calculated in that manner. It seems like a new experience for them, but overall, it's positive," Ifti commented.

"The 1600 meters helped us evaluate their cardiovascular system and overall capacity, while the sprint test, particularly the 40-meter dash, gauged their speed. In cricket, a run-out can hinge on just one or two meters, and a few centimeters can mean the difference between saving or conceding a boundary. We're looking into how to increase their sprinting speed, and the 1600 meters gave us a good indication of their endurance on the field."

"The average performance was good. However, there is always room for improvement. As trainers, we never say 'good enough' because our standards are perpetually high," Ifti added, emphasizing the commitment to excellence.

With a busy schedule ahead, including series against Zimbabwe at home, in the USA, and the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, maintaining peak fitness is critical for the cricketers. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) arranged these early morning sprints and time trials to gauge the fitness of those considered for the national team or potential selection.