BCB contemplates longer breaks for Afghanistan Test

With the upcoming one-match Test series against Afghanistan scheduled for June 14 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is considering increasing the number of breaks during the game due to concerns over excessive heat. Heat has become a major issue for the hosts, as they have played only one Test match in June on home soil in the past, back in 2015 against India in Fatullah. The temperature has already reached 38 degrees, raising concerns for player safety and well-being.

BCB’s chief physician, Debashish Chowdhury, highlighted the importance of considering the players’ health and well-being. He mentioned that during the series against West Indies ‘A’, they had increased the number of breaks, and they would like to do the same for the Test match against Afghanistan. However, the final decision regarding the breaks will be made by the match referee or the team members. From a medical perspective, additional breaks and opportunities for the players to drink water or seek shade would be beneficial.

According to Shahriar Nafees, BCB’s cricket operations manager, additional intervals can be proposed in the forthcoming Test match if both sides agree. A meeting will be held before the start of the match involving the match referee, team captains, and managers to discuss the possibility of implementing additional breaks if necessary.

While the idea of more breaks to combat the heat seems reasonable, a senior umpire expressed concerns about the impact it might have on the timing of the game. Considering a Test match is played for six hours, extending the breaks could potentially affect the management of play within the designated time frame.

Dehydration prevention is currently a major focus for the BCB. Players are encouraged to follow a specific feeding schedule, referred to as “clockwise feeding.” Instead of drinking water only when thirsty, players are advised to drink water every hour to prevent dehydration. The BCB chief physician emphasized that players should not rely on demand-based feeding but rather follow a clock-based schedule.

Additionally, the BCB is implementing measures to manage heat stress and workload for the pace bowlers. They are using a 7-4-2 ratio, where pacers bowl for four out of seven days and are given rest on consecutive days. This approach aims to prevent overloading and is monitored using a software system. The BCB is also planning to introduce GPS technology for workload management during the Test match, similar to other teams such as England, Australia, and India.

The use of GPS technology will provide a clear picture of the players’ physical status, helping the team monitor and manage their workload effectively. This will allow the BCB to ensure that players are not overexerting themselves, especially in the challenging conditions of the Test match against Afghanistan.

As the Test series approaches, the BCB is focused on the well-being of its players and taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of excessive heat. By considering additional breaks, emphasizing proper hydration practices, and implementing technology for workload management, they aim to create a safe and conducive environment for the players to perform at their best. The priority is to balance the competitive aspects of the game with the health and safety of the athletes, ultimately ensuring an exciting and well-managed Test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan.