Mohammad Rafique could not leave cricket completely despite leaving international cricket. He was once the big hope of the national team's spin bowling. After retirement now Sheikh Jamal is working as spin coach of Dhanmondi Club and Rangpur Riders. But to his long-time regret, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) never gave him any responsibility as a coach.
Rafiq expressed his disappointment while talking to reporters at Mirpur Sherebangla Stadium today. He said, 'We are always ready. I am waiting when the board will call. But the sad thing is, we have retired for so long, we have not received any response yet. But we are not sitting. Working in teams like Sheikh Jamal and Rangpur Riders. I am busy with cricket.'
Although he did not get the opportunity to work as a coach, Rafiq enjoyed the work of developing youngsters in domestic cricket. He is working with Arafat Saneed as part of Rangpur Riders Global Super League preparation.
Mohammad Salahuddin has recently joined the senior assistant coach of the national team. Rafiq sees the opportunity of local coaches in the national team in a positive light, 'If Salahuddin does well, the confidence in the country's coaches will increase. Those of us who have played cricket should use our experience. Coaching is improving day by day. If the native coaches do well, more opportunities will be created in the future.' Rafiq also said, 'We advise as coaches, but the cricketers will play the game. The most important thing is how much they are able to use the tips we are giving. The way the coaches of Bangladesh are working, if this experience is spread throughout the country in the future, the results will be better. But we should not expect results in haste.'
