Salahuddin warns Bangladesh against complacency as rain threatens Asian Games 2026 opener vs Malaysia

Salahuddin sounds caution as Bangladesh brace for Malaysia test

Bangladesh head coach Mohammad Salahuddin has warned his players not to take Malaysia lightly as the two sides prepare to meet in the first quarter-final of the Asian Games 2026, scheduled for September 29.

Bangladesh's opening-day practice session was disrupted by rain, and with the venue's drainage system under scrutiny, there are real fears that the opening game against Malaysia could again be affected by the weather.

Drainage worries linger after women's abandonment

The same drainage deficiencies forced the abandonment of the Bangladesh women's national cricket team's opening game against China. An official of the Bangladesh Olympic Association explained the lingering risk to Cricbuzz.

"Even if there is no rain on the match day, still the game can be affected due to lack of proper drainage system, as a part of the ground remains spongy and you cannot play there despite the wicket remaining unaffected," the official said.

Salahuddin, however, insisted his side cannot afford to be distracted by such concerns.

"I will be very happy if the match happens"

Speaking to reporters in Japan on Sunday, the coach stressed the importance of getting the first match underway.

"I will be very happy if the match happens, because if you suddenly play matches after five-seven days then it becomes very difficult. So the first match is very important for us," Salahuddin said. "Here you don't really have much opportunity to practice. If you can play matches, then you will actually understand what your condition is."

The coach, who has extensive experience in Malaysian cricket, believes his familiarity with the opposition gives Bangladesh an edge.

"We have a good idea of the team, I think it will be a good match. I know everything (about Malaysia) because I have worked in Malaysia for a long time, we know a lot about Malaysia," he said.

Knockout pressure and the danger of upsets

Salahuddin acknowledged the unique challenges of a multi-team tournament played on the same surfaces, and the role the toss could play.

"There can be upsets in such tournaments because the game is played on the same wicket again and again, so the toss can be a factor a lot of the time," he said. "We know that we have to win by playing and we are preparing mentally accordingly."

Above all, the coach urged his players to treat the fixture with the seriousness a knockout demands.

"You should never underestimate the opponents. It is also a pressure match because it is a knockout stage. There will always be pressure in the knockout stage. So we should be serious about that match, we can think about the next one later."

Having worked with this group for an extended period, Salahuddin is confident his players understand their respective roles.

"For a long time we have been playing together with these players. We actually know whose role is what. So, wherever they are playing, they have been playing in the same position for a long time, now who knows what I have to do at what moment. So here, I think that when I know my role, then it will be very convenient for me to apply for it. I think all my players know whose role is what and who will play how," he concluded.