New Coach Sarwar Imran takes charge of Bangladesh women’s cricket team ahead of World Cup qualifiers

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Sarwar Imran, a well-known local coach, as the new head coach of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team. 

This change comes after Sri Lankan legend Hashan Tillakaratne’s contract came to an end, following the team‍‍`s failure to directly qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

Tillakaratne had served as head coach for the women’s team over the last two and a half years. 

His term officially ended after the West Indies tour, where the Tigresses lost their opportunity for direct World Cup qualification.

Aware of the BCB’s disappointment, Tillakaratne decided to step down voluntarily. 

As a result, the board turned to Sarwar Imran, an experienced coach from Bangladesh, to take charge of the team moving forward.

Speaking about his new role, Imran acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon. 

He emphasized the team’s batting issues, stating, "There are new challenges ahead, especially with the World Cup qualifiers. Batting is definitely a challenge, and we need to improve. To rise to the top level, there’s no alternative to improving our batting, and we are working towards that goal."

Bangladesh women’s cricket has long struggled with its batting performance, so Imran has wasted no time in addressing the issue. 

He has launched a special training camp focusing on the team’s top 10 batters. 

"We’ve already completed two days of practice, and we are addressing their technical problems so they can play more freely," Imran said.

While the bowling department has been consistent, Imran remains cautious and insists on continuous improvement. 

He stated, "We can’t be fully satisfied with the bowling either. Continuous improvement is always necessary."

The team’s effort to overcome their batting struggles has also drawn the attention of BCB women’s division chairman, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, who has been present at practice sessions. 

Along with Fahim’s involvement, the BCB is working quickly to finalize the appointments of assistant coaches and other staff members.

Sarwar Imran is no stranger to Bangladesh cricket. 

He previously coached the men’s national team during their historic first Test match against India in 2000 and has also coached the U-19 women’s team. 

Now, with the national women’s team under his guidance, his focus is on preparing them for a strong performance in the World Cup qualifiers.

The Tigresses had a chance to qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup before their West Indies tour but failed to secure it after losing the series. 

Even though they earned 21 points in the Women’s Championship, they missed out on direct qualification due to a lower net run rate compared to New Zealand. With the World Cup dream still alive, Imran‍‍`s primary goal is to lead the team through the qualifiers and secure a spot in the tournament.