Ebadot shares tips to beat UAE heat ahead of one-off Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh pacer Ebadot Hossain has a simple routine for dealing with Dubai’s punishing heat: start preparing two days before a match, drink plenty of fluids, eat more fruit, have coconut water and, after arriving in the UAE, walk barefoot on the ground for up to an hour.

With temperatures feeling close to 45°C, the Bangladesh fast bowler believes adapting to the conditions is essential, particularly as the Tigers prepare for their first-ever Test match in the United Arab Emirates.

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“I start preparing two days before a match. I drink plenty of water and different types of fluids to stay hydrated. I drink coconut water and eat more fruits as well,” Ebadot said in a video sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Bangladesh have played in the UAE before, but never in a Test. Their previous matches there were either ODIs or T20s, and all were day-night games. As a result, the players had a different approach to coping with the extreme heat.

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This time, they must prepare for the demands of a five-day Test played during the daytime, when the heat can be particularly severe.

Ebadot believes the adjustment should begin as soon as players arrive.

“It is important to know beforehand what the humidity and heat are like. After arriving here, what I do on the first day of training is walk around the ground barefoot for about 30 minutes to an hour,” he said.

He also explained why he follows the unusual routine.

“It helps create a connection with the ground. This makes the connection between the human body and the soil much better. The body adapts to the weather more quickly. After coming here, walking barefoot on the ground for half an hour to an hour helps the body adapt to the weather and the heat more quickly.”

The Bangladesh team arrived in Dubai on October 1 and spent the first few days training at the ICC Academy ground before playing a two-day practice match against the United Arab Emirates. The match ended in a draw, but it gave the players valuable time in the middle as well as an opportunity to experience Dubai’s daytime heat.

Ebadot also emphasised that hydration must continue throughout the day, not just during training or matches.

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“As long as I am in my room, I will drink plenty of water and other fluids. Especially at breakfast, eating more fruit, drinking coconut water, having more watermelon, and drinking plenty of water—I think these are the most important things,” he said.

Bangladesh’s two-day practice match against the UAE also provided mixed results.

The Tigers were bowled out for 234 in their first innings after a 108-run opening stand. Soumya Sarkar top-scored with an unbeaten 57, while Shadman Islam made 46, Naeem Hasan scored 36 and Mominul Haque contributed 33.

Although the batting order faltered, Bangladesh’s bowlers quickly made amends.

Reserve fast bowler Iqbal Hossain Emon spearheaded the fightback, taking four wickets for just 30 runs in six overs as the UAE were bowled out for 222 in 53.5 overs.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed three wickets for 58 runs, while Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed took one wicket each.

Muhammad Waseem was the UAE’s only batter to offer sustained resistance, scoring a brisk 69 off 76 balls.

Bangladesh took a narrow 12-run lead into their second innings and reached 114 for three in 26.5 overs before the close on the second day.

Ebadot bowled nine overs in the match, conceding 38 runs and taking one wicket.

For Bangladesh, the practice match was ultimately about preparation rather than the result. The batting collapse exposed some areas that need work, while the bowlers' response offered encouragement. More importantly, the players gained experience of spending extended periods in Dubai’s extreme daytime conditions.

Their age-group teams also regularly travel to countries with conditions similar to those in the UAE. On October 10, for example, the Bangladesh Under-19 team are scheduled to travel to Oman to play five 50-over matches against Afghanistan and two against Oman.

The Tigers will now travel to Abu Dhabi ahead of their one-off Test against Afghanistan on October 9. Players returning from the Asian Games in Japan are expected to join the Test squad on Tuesday.

Bangladesh are scheduled to hold practice sessions on September 7 and 8 before taking on Afghanistan in the lone Test starting on Friday, September 9.

For Ebadot, however, preparation for the Test is not only about batting, bowling and tactics. In the UAE heat, looking after the body could be just as important.