The Bangladesh Cricket Board named Mohammad Salahuddin as the new assistant coach of the national cricket team on Sunday. The experienced coach will join Phil Simmons’ coaching staff on a short-term contract.
Salahuddin’s new contract runs till March 15 next year. The former left-hand opener, who played 15 Tests and 29 ODIs, worked with the Bangladesh team as an assistant coach and fielding coach in the past decade. This is his return to the national team setup.
BCB chief Faruque Ahmed expressed his optimism that Salahuddin’s appointment would translate into more locals taking up key roles in the future. “When I took over as BCB president, I committed to providing opportunities for deserving candidates to contribute to the national team setup,” Faruque said as quoted by ICC.
Faruque also underscored that Salahuddin brings enormous experience into this position, making him a perfect fit for the job: “Salahuddin brings a wealth of experience, pedigree, and knowledge, making him the perfect candidate for this role. I firmly believe it’s time to integrate more capable Bangladeshi coaches into the system,” he added.
Salahuddin will be the senior assistant coach of head coach Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder. Their immediate big assignment will come during Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies, where they are scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
The series will be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. Tough both Bangladesh and the West Indies are already out of contention for reaching next year’s final.
In the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and South Africa, the Bangladesh team had to face heavy defeats. The Proteas outplayed the hosts and whitewashed them in the two-match Test series. In the first match, South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets. In the second Test, the Aiden Markram-led South African team thrashed Bangladesh. And also won the match by an innings and 273 runs.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board, now, is also optimistic that Salahuddin’s experience will benefit the future performances of the team.
ANI
