Mohammad Salahuddin, a renowned coach with an impressive track record, has been appointed as the senior assistant coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. This marks his second stint with the team, having previously served in the same role from 2006 to 2010. Salahuddin’s appointment, which extends until the Champions Trophy next year, is a testament to his reputation as one of the most successful coaches in the domestic circuit.
Salahuddin, who has led the Comilla Victorians to four BPL titles, has already begun working with the Test cricketers in Dhaka while the team is in Sharjah for the ODIs against Afghanistan. He will accompany the Test players to the Caribbean on Monday.
“I believe this is the right time to work with the Bangladesh team,” Salahuddin said. “I may not be in coaching for much longer, perhaps another four or five years. It would be a privilege to contribute to the development of more generations of cricketers. If I can make a positive impact, it will be worthwhile, regardless of the time I have until the Champions Trophy.”
Salahuddin acknowledged that he has not yet had detailed discussions with head coach Phil Simmons, who was appointed on an interim basis in mid-October following the dismissal of Chandika Hathurusinghe. “My role may be different this time,” Salahuddin said. “I need to understand the head coach’s philosophy and support him. I hope our players can gain more confidence. I will also monitor their communication with the foreign coaches.”
In 2017, Salahuddin was on the verge of being appointed as the team’s batting consultant, but the BCB canceled the appointment at the last minute. This soured relations between Salahuddin and the BCB for several years, and Salahuddin’s outspoken criticism of Bangladesh cricket did not help mend fences.
However, with the recent change in the country’s political regime, the BCB elected Faruque Ahmed as president, who pledged to incorporate a Bangladeshi into the coaching setup. Salahuddin stated that his extensive discussions with Faruque convinced him to reduce his coaching commitments elsewhere.
“I requested some time to settle my commitments,” Salahuddin said. “I have been in talks with Faruque bhai for three months, which gave me time to resolve those commitments.”
Salahuddin has played a significant role in the development of several cricketers, including Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, during his previous stint as assistant coach. He has also contributed to the growth of players like Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam Ankon, who are now part of the Bangladesh Test team.
Salahuddin urged the media and fans to avoid labeling players as heroes or villains based on their performances. “Players go through a lot to earn their place in the national team,” he said. “Some may take time to succeed in international matches, while others may find success immediately. It’s important to be patient and supportive.”
