Veteran Coach Naveed Nawaz Aims to Repeat Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup Glory
Dhaka, July 1, 2024 – Naveed Nawaz, the man who guided Bangladesh to their historic Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2020, has returned to lead the national youth team. With the 2026 edition of the tournament on the horizon, Nawaz is determined to replicate the same success and bring home another championship for the cricket-crazy nation.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently appointed Nawaz as the new coach, replacing Stuart Law, whose contract was not renewed after the team’s performance in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. Nawaz, who had been serving as the assistant coach for the Sri Lanka men’s national team, is eager to build on the foundation laid four years ago and ensure Bangladesh’s emerging talents are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
“This expectation is on the players as well in a country like Bangladesh, where people are almost crazy about cricket,” Nawaz said, acknowledging the pressure that comes with the role. “They love the game so much. Players will carry the burden of expectations. Coming back to Bangladesh after winning the [Under-19] World Cup in 2020, obviously there will be expectations [on me], but I think I have to focus on other things.”
Nawaz emphasized the importance of creating a nurturing environment for the players, allowing them to develop their skills and decision-making abilities independently.
“We must create a happy environment for the players. They have to make decisions independently. Coaches will help them make better decisions in the future. That’s what we did four years ago. It produced results for us.”
The seasoned coach plans to scour the country for talented cricketers and work closely with the age-group selectors to build a well-rounded team capable of competing against the best in the world.
“We want to understand the talent from worldwide and try to put in all the benchmarks in our players and try to reach it in two years. That’s what we did before. We want to build a team in two years that can compare with any other country without any fear.”
Nawaz is cognizant of the challenges that come with transitioning from youth to senior cricket, emphasizing the need for players to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills to overcome the scrutiny of international opponents.
“It is about the players being able to work their way out, to understand and rectify their game. You can’t be holding a technical or mental issue for too long. You have to get over it.”
With the 2026 Under-19 World Cup set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia, Nawaz and the BCB are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to defend Bangladesh’s title and cement their status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.
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