Mohammad Salahuddin joined the coaching setup of Bangladesh national team after almost 15 years. This time he returned as senior assistant coach of Bangladesh. Why did he come to the national team after a long time, he revealed in a video circulated on social media by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
It goes without saying that native coaches do not get a chance in the coaching panel of Bangladesh. Foreigners are seen in all the positions of coaches including head coach, bowling coach, assistant coach. By appointing Salahuddin as an assistant coach, the new board president Farooq Ahmed has reopened the way for the desi to work in the national team. Salahuddin said in a video published on BCB's official Facebook page this morning that he is ready to take up this challenge. Senior assistant coach of BCB said, 'I have been hearing for a long time, the board will make a platform for local coaches. If I can show the way in that place, even if it is for a few days, maybe even the local coaches like me will do well.'
Salahuddin will start working as senior assistant coach from West Indies tour. Although the official duty started late, he has already started working with a few cricketers including Liton Das in Mirpur. According to Salahuddin, indigenous coaches should be given a chance in the national team. BCB's senior assistant coach said, 'The coach's confidence will also increase that we can do well at the international level. I think someone should have taken it. If I can keep that belief, a great way will be opened for the next one. As a coach in the coaching community, I had a great responsibility to lead the way. I took it as a challenge.'
Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh cricket team has won many memorable victories. But according to Salahuddin, Bangladeshi cricket will not go far if it stops here. This coach, one of the most successful domestic cricketers, said, 'Those of us who say Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq have reached a stage, if we can't break it, then I personally think that Bangladeshi cricket has not progressed. (Our work) The next generation can be better players than them, can be bigger, if we can do these things… these things are not impossible. Because now they play good cricket. They are very self-reliant, be it mental, physical, financial. Maybe not before. The facilities have also increased a lot now.'
Salahuddin has previously coached in international cricket a long time ago. He served as fielding coach and assistant coach of Bangladesh team from 2006 to 2010. Salahuddin has more experience as he has the opportunity to work with Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq, Mashrafe bin Mortuza, Mahmudullah Riyad-Bangladesh Panchpandav. Salahuddin shared that experience today in a video broadcast by BCB. One of the most successful coaches in domestic cricket feels that it is necessary to give proper guidance to the cricketers of the national team.
Apart from the national team, Salahuddin also worked as an expert coach of the BCB Academy in 2010-11. This time he was appointed on Tuesday of this week. His tenure is till March 15, 2025. That means he will stay till 2025 Champions Trophy. He won four titles as the coach of Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
