A recurring theme plagues Bangladesh cricket, both men's and women's teams: a revolving door of overseas coaches, each promising "development" but leaving the national side stuck in a perpetual state of improvement. The latest instalment of this narrative sees Sri Lankan coach Hasan Tillakaratne overseeing the women's team, who – despite possessing undeniable talent – seem perpetually stuck in a "developing" phase.
Much like Chandika Hathurusingha and Nick Pothas before him, Tillakaratne echoes the familiar refrain of developing the squad. However, as Habibul Bashar, head of the women's wing, bluntly states, "The national team isn't a finishing school; it's about performance."
Under Salma Ahmed's previous leadership, Bangladesh's women enjoyed a period of relative success in T20 and ODI formats. They punched above their weight despite limited facilities, famously clinching the T20 Asia Cup without a regular domestic T20 tournament. This begs the question: why has progress stalled under Tillakaratne's tenure, especially considering the abundance of young talent at his disposal?
Bashar offers a wry chuckle when pressed on a timeframe for this supposed "development." He reiterates, "The national team isn't built on development, it's built on performances. Performance at the national level is what matters. If the next World Cup is the target, some players who need refinement might need to be included. That process is acceptable, but ultimately, the national team's evaluation hinges on results."
The crux of the issue lies in finding the right balance between nurturing talents and demanding immediate results. Bangladesh's women's team finds itself in a curious limbo – overflowing with potential yet failing to translate it into consistent victories. The challenge for Tillakaratne, or whoever takes the reins next, will be to bridge this gap and propel the team from "developing" to a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
