A severe thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall forced Bangladesh’s national football team to cancel their scheduled training session at Bashundhara Kings Arena on Thursday afternoon. Thick clouds had shrouded Dhaka since midday, and shortly after the session began, lightning strikes and torrential downpours made it unsafe to continue.
Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera prioritised player safety and called off the practice, underscoring the importance of caution during extreme weather. This decision comes as the team intensifies preparations for two critical upcoming fixtures:
A preparatory match against Vietnam on 26 March
The Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on 31 March
Over the past two days, the national team had maintained regular training sessions at Kings Arena, but today’s session was interrupted by the storm.
In contrast, the Under-20 (U-20) squad carried out their scheduled practice at the National Stadium without disruption, suggesting that conditions at other venues remained suitable for safe training.
Upcoming Bangladesh Fixtures and Training
| Team | Match / Event | Date | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Team | Preparation Match vs Vietnam | 26 March | Vietnam (away) | Training ongoing |
| Senior Team | Asian Cup Qualifier vs Singapore | 31 March | Singapore (away) | Training disrupted by rain |
| U-20 Team | SAFF U-20 Tournament vs Maldives | 24 March | Maldives | Training proceeded as normal |
Coach Cabrera highlighted that player welfare remains the top priority, and alternative arrangements, including indoor training sessions, may be implemented if severe weather persists. The senior squad is expected to resume training once conditions improve, maintaining tactical and physical readiness for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the U-20 team’s uninterrupted preparation reflects the different weather impact across venues, allowing junior players to continue their development seamlessly.
Thursday’s cancellation serves as a reminder of Dhaka’s unpredictable seasonal weather, prompting teams and management to remain flexible in scheduling while ensuring the safety and well-being of all players.