||CF Correspondent||

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will launch High Performance (HP) program from May 18, HP chairman Naimur Rahman announced on Saturday.

BCB’s high-performance unit had their first meeting to chalk out the date as well as discussions regarding the program that is expected to feature 24 to 25 Under-23 cricketers.

“We just made a primary plan and we hope to start May 18 because we can’t start it right now due to the ongoing Premier League,’’ said Naimur.

“We have planned to start after the end of Premier League followed by rest and recovery break. The number would be like 24-25. Because two teams needed for the practice as well as the need for the HP matches. The numbers of 24-25 are being kept for more options,’’ he said adding they are looking to bring some high-profile coaches for the specialized program.

Obviously, it[ HP program] will be different because we're arraigning some specialized camps here,’’ he said,

“We will try to get high profile former players or delicates if they are available that time. We will definitely try to get them if they agree,’’ he said.

Naimur added that Simon Helmut will be in charge if he is available through his presence during the program looked very limited since he took over the role of HP head coach.

“Of course, we still have the running contract. If we got him available within our time frame, we will certainly continue with him,’’ said Naimur. “Among our local support staffs, who are available now, will be there. Head coach issue has been informed him. His feedback… We have seen his availability. We can say about it after knowing about his availability…. Who is here now,’’ he said.

The HP programme will effectively replace BCB’s National Cricket Academy, which will be now limited to infrastructural facilities while BCB’ s game development committee will now have their role limited only to the age-level teams.