Ali, a Bangladesh-born Canadian sports psychologist told daily sun that patience will be they key in this very critical time for every cricketer as the whole world is stuck due to coronavirus pandemic. It is quite obvious that cricketers like many other professionals will be challenged both physically and mentally by the impact of the deadly coronavirus situation.
It often seems that players go through psychological breakdown because they are not used to this kind of crisis. For this reason , Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB] had instructed cricketers to practice meditation at home to strengthen their mental strength during this vulnerable time.
“Coronavirus situation is a global crisis. Regardless of nation, race, religion or profession, it forced us to stand on the same platform and push us to act in the same manner. We all stand as one,” said Ali.
“Presently the only job we all have is to stay home and stay clean. But professional athletes may not be used to the luxury of just relaxing and watch TV. The rule of skill is if you don’t use it, you lose it,” he said.
Ali added that cricketers should follow visual-motor rehearsal which is self taught imagery rehearsal and kinesthetic visualisation to make the time productive. When it comes to peak performance, coaches around the world stressing on only physical fitness might just not be sufficient for the cricketers.
“At this moment it is a common dilemma for any professional athlete all over the world. So we have to try our best to get the best out of it,” said Ali.
“Of course, fitness improvement is one of the common and relatively easy things to do for the athletes during this period. But the biggest issue is technical maintenance. In order to turn this time into a productive period,” he said.
“There are two essential practices I have proposed to the professional athletes I have been working in Canada and Bangladesh called visual-motor rehearsal and kinesthetic visualisation,” he said.
“Both practices are scientifically proven formulas, which can robustly impact skill development if it is done in a correct manner. Both can be easily practiced in a quarantine status,” he said.
According to those who work closely with the cricketers, mental impact of the cricketers due to coronavirus pandemic is one area that needs to be very careful.
A cricketers who has been always into practice for six to eight hours a day now spent time almost idle will surely have a psychological impact, it's not a matter of doubt.
Ali said that the fear of unknown can infiltrate into their mind but added that they need to show their patience during these days of crisis. “Coronavirus is a global pandemic and no one knows where it’s going and how and when it will end. Fear of the unknown is a natural instinct of mankind,” said Ali.
“Cricket players are not having to tackle things differently in this situation. When the enemy is truly unfamiliar, the best way to deal with it is; don’t deal with it which means to have patience. Do your best and leave the rest (to the creator),’” he said adding that he is aware that it is easier said than done.
“But despite all these very difficult challenges, there are few social, psychological and environmental benefits that have been offered with this pandemic package and we do not know when human beings will again get the chance to be with their family without the boundaries of timeframe,” he said.
“So I think to make the best out of it, this is the time we need to stop hustling and spend quality time with the family and at the same time, let’s learn how to calm ourselves down and cultivate patience within,” he said.
“When life gives you lemons, make some lemonade,” concluded Ali
BCB appointed Ali twice, once in 2014 and the second time in 2018 to give cricketers mental support advice and since then despite being away in foreign assignments, he is known to be helping out his charges when he is contacted for help.
