Mohammad Salahuddin said on Wednesday (October 28) that he prioritises Aliss Al Islam’s mental well-being after his suspect bowling action report. The coach wants to fix the action but fears losing the bowler's effectiveness. Salahuddin said, "It is our moral responsibility to help him mentally and support him."
Bangladesh High Performance Unit head coach Mohammad Salahuddin said on Wednesday (October 28) that he was hopeful Aliss Al Islam would rectify his suspect bowling action, but stressed that remodelling it would serve little purpose if it compromised his effectiveness.
Aliss was reported for a suspect bowling action during Bangladesh's recently concluded Tri-Series match against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Cricbuzz understands that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has asked Salahuddin to work with Aliss ahead of his assessment at an International Cricket Council (ICC)-accredited laboratory, which he is required to undergo within 14 days of the report. The BCB has informed the ICC that it plans to send the bowler to Chennai for the assessment.
Salahuddin, who has worked with several bowlers reported for suspect actions, said mental support was more important at this stage than technical intervention.
"Actually this time is the most important for any person to get mental support as it is much more important than his technical issues. I feel very bad for the last two days because since I am practicing with another team I am not able to give him time.
"Nothing cannot get bigger for a player not being able to play cricket and so it is our moral responsibility to help him mentally and it is our moral responsibility to support him. I am seeing his progress and I am very hopeful that he will fix it soon," he said.
Salahuddin, however, cautioned that correcting the action should not come at the expense of Aliss's effectiveness as a bowler. "And one thing we need to keep in mind is that maybe I fixed him but his ball is not as effective unlike the past and there is no point in that.
"Only [Abdur] Razzak has managed (to keep his efficacy) even after fixing his action. So we actually have to keep two things in mind, that is, to ensure that he has effectiveness and that he is mentally strong, and that we also have to support him. But I am hopeful that he will be fine," he concluded.