Jaker Ali: Wood helping us add extra distance to our shots
![Jaker Ali [L] and Julian Wood](https://cricfrenzy.com/public/storage/images/8-2025/cf_29omGtWu.jpg)
Jaker Ali [L] and Julian Wood
Power-hitting has become an essential element in modern-day limited-overs cricket, and Bangladesh have often been criticized for falling short in this department. To bridge that gap ahead of the Asia Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has roped in English specialist coach Julian Wood, who is now working closely with the Tigers to sharpen their big-hitting skills.
Wood, an English coach, initially worked with local coaches and the women’s national team upon his arrival in Dhaka. He has since started sessions with the men’s national players. Following three days of training in the capital, the main skills camp will begin in Sylhet from Wednesday.
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Sharing his experience of working with Wood, wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali said in Mirpur today, “We are working on certain power-hitting skills—how to improve further. Those who are genetically strong are learning how to maximize their strength, while timers are working on adding 2–3 meters more distance. These are the areas we’re focusing on.”
Wood’s contract runs for just 28 days, with his scheduled departure on September 3. That leaves little room for revolutionary changes, something he has already conveyed to the players. According to Jaker, the Dhaka sessions were mainly about building fundamentals, with follow-up drills planned for Sylhet.
Asked if any visible improvements could be seen in such a short time, Jaker replied, “It’s too early to comment on that. It will take a little more time to understand what improvements have been made. But we are trying to follow the work given to us. These swing practices and different drills will definitely help.”
One of the unique aspects of Wood’s training has been the use of a special bat called “Pro Velocity.” The bat is designed to enhance bat speed and hand-eye coordination. It produces a distinct sound when swung, indicating the power behind a shot. Videos of players using the bat in practice have already circulated on social media.
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Speaking about his experience with the bat, Jaker smiled and said, “When you manage to produce the exact sound he asks for, it feels good. But it takes a lot of force to generate that sound, so you have to put in extra effort. If we keep working on these things consistently, it will definitely help.”
Importantly, Wood has not asked players to completely change their natural style. As Jaker explained, “For timers, the focus is on adding 4–5 more meters to their shots, not turning them into power-hitters. A timer will remain a timer, but if they can add that extra 4–6 meters, then what used to be a dismissal could now become a six.”
