Bangladesh must win an ICC trophy to cement ODI legacy: Arthur

Mickey Arthur, one of the most renowned international cricket coaches, has emphasised the importance of Bangladesh winning an ICC trophy in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) to solidify their status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Arthur stressed that a team's legacy is ultimately judged by the trophies it has won.

"They've played some excellent ODI cricket, but you are ultimately judged on trophies," Arthur remarked.

"Winning a title validates all the hard work, selections, and the brand of cricket you've built. Bangladesh needs a trophy in their showcase to underline their achievements."

Drawing parallels with South Africa

Arthur, who has coached South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan, cited his home country as an example of how success is often overshadowed by the lack of silverware.

"South Africa has been ranked number one across formats—ODIs, T20s, and Tests—but they've never won an ICC event. People don't remember teams that fail to win major trophies," he said. "Similarly, Bangladesh are a strong ODI side, but they need to win something significant to solidify their position."

Decline after a strong run

Bangladesh's dominance in ODI cricket began after the 2015 World Cup, with the team losing just two home series—both to England—up to early 2023. However, a dip in form followed, marked by home series defeats to Afghanistan and New Zealand, leading to a fall to ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.

With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, Arthur, who coached Pakistan to victory in the 2017 edition, believes Bangladesh have a fair chance of success.

"The Champions Trophy is an intense competition. It's short, and every match is critical. Pakistan were ranked eighth when we won it in 2017. We lost the first game, but then every match became a must-win. Momentum was key, and we built confidence game by game. Bangladesh have the same chance as any other team if they play their best cricket."

Praising Bangladesh's talent pool

Arthur is currently coaching Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and has been impressed with the development of Bangladeshi players.

"The talent pool in Bangladesh has grown significantly compared to when I coached Dhaka Dynamites. There are now many more players emerging with remarkable skills," he observed.

Arthur singled out Nahid Rana, a young fast bowler generating buzz with his raw pace. As Rana is playing for Rangpur Riders, Arthur has had the chance to observe him closely.

"Nahid Rana has all the attributes to become a quality international bowler. He's quick, skilful, and understands when to use his abilities. I see no reason why he can't develop into an exceptional bowler in the future," he said.

Balancing workload with skill development

Arthur emphasised the need for what he calls a "fun balance" in managing Rana's workload to prevent burnout while allowing him to develop his skills.

"Fun balance is about managing the amount he bowls and rests. In the BPL, he bowls just 24 balls in a game. That's not too taxing, but it's enough to develop his skills and gain match experience. He needs to learn to perform under pressure and refine his craft," Arthur explained.

He also highlighted the importance of monitoring Rana's physical condition, saying: "When he's tired, you can see it in his action. That's when he needs rest. But at the same time, he needs to bowl regularly to improve."