Salahuddin Starts Work Immediately: Litton, Hridoy and Jaker in Training Ahead of West Indies Test

Mohammad Salahuddin has gone straight onto the field with his players after taking charge as the national team's batting coach. The day after replacing Mohammad Ashraful, the experienced coach spent a busy session at the academy ground of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh's training ran from Sunday morning to midday. Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Sadman Islam, Jaker Ali Anik, Mominul Haque and several other batters batted in the nets. The new batting coach gave special attention to the batters' preparation ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.

Extra attention on the day centred on Litton Das, who is trying to return from injury. Salahuddin closely observed Litton's batting in training. He was also seen working separately on Jaker Ali Anik's batting.

Litton, who missed the most recent tri-nation series through injury, has been named in the squad for the first Test against the West Indies. Even after returning to the squad, however, the team management is not yet fully certain about his playing.

Chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon has also expressed concern over Litton's fitness. The wicketkeeper-batter is likely to make the playing eleven only if he feels no pain while batting in training. Bangladesh are therefore taking extra caution with Litton before the important Test.

Alongside the batters' preparation, the coaching panel also worked with the bowlers. Assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa and spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed were present at training.

Mushtaq was seen working with Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan as Bangladesh look to pressure the West Indies batters with spin. Mominul Haque also bowled in training on the day.

Salahuddin worked separately on bowling as well, not just batting. He closely observed the bowling of Aliss Al Islam, who is preparing for a bowling-action test. Overall, Bangladesh are giving importance to preparation in both departments before the Test series.

After Bangladesh finished, the West Indies team also took the field. Alongside catching practice, Caribbean head coach Daren Sammy worked with their batters. Both teams therefore got the chance to sharpen themselves in Mirpur on the same day.

The first Test between Bangladesh and the West Indies, part of the ICC World Test Championship, begins in Dhaka on 28 October. Before that match, getting the batters into rhythm under the new batting coach and reaching a final picture on Litton's fitness are now the team's biggest tasks.