Bangladesh looks to add punch with power-hitting coach

For Bangladesh, clearing the ropes has long been a talking point, as big shots often decide games in modern white-ball cricket where the team has struggled.

To address that, the board has brought in Julian Wood, an English coach known for his work on power hitting.

Wood’s stay is brief — just 28 days — but the hope is that he can pass on techniques players can carry forward.

He started his stint in Dhaka, working with local coaches and women’s players, before moving on to the national squad. After three days of drills in Mirpur, the group will shift to Sylhet this week for a longer skills camp.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, who has been part of the sessions, said the focus has been on squeezing out extra distance.

“Some players are naturally strong, they’re being shown how to use that better. For those of us who rely on timing, the goal is to add a few meters. If a shot that used to fall short goes for six, that changes things,” Jaker said.

Wood has also introduced a training tool called the “Pro Velocity” bat, which makes a sharp sound when swung at the right speed. The idea is to build bat speed and hand-eye coordination.

“It feels good when the sound comes, but it takes effort,” Jaker said with a grin.

The coach has been clear that no miracles are possible in under a month. But even small gains, he believes, could matter at the Asia Cup, where Bangladesh will face some of the world’s fastest attacks.