The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially relieved former national team captain Mohammad Ashraful of his duties as the batting coach. The decision came as a surprise to many, especially since Ashraful was seen conducting batting drills with players like Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shadman Islam at the Mirpur Academy ground earlier today. By the evening, the board issued a press release confirming his removal from the position.
Ashraful had been appointed as the batting coach in November 2025. His tenure, which lasted less than a year, has come to an abrupt end following a period of intense scrutiny regarding the team's performance. While the BCB did not explicitly state the reason for his removal in their official statement, it is widely believed that the team's dismal batting display during the recent tri-series in the United Arab Emirates served as the primary catalyst for this decision. The batting unit faced heavy criticism for their inability to build partnerships and poor shot selection throughout the tournament.
In the interim, Mohammad Salahuddin, the head coach of the BCB's High Performance (HP) unit, has been tasked with overseeing the national team's batting department. However, this is a temporary arrangement. The board clarified that Salahuddin will hold the position only until a permanent successor is appointed. Sources within the board suggest that the BCB is actively looking to hire a foreign coach for the long-term role to bring more technical expertise to the squad.
Regarding Ashraful's future, the board mentioned that he would be reassigned to a different role within the BCB, though the specific nature of this new position remains undisclosed. Ashraful, a legendary figure in Bangladesh cricket, has faced significant challenges in his transition to coaching. His departure marks a pivotal moment for the team as they look to address their batting woes.
This move signals a shift in the board's approach toward accountability and performance standards. As the team prepares for future international assignments, all eyes will be on how Salahuddin manages the batting group and who the board eventually selects as the permanent batting coach to stabilize the lineup.
