The discussions were already in progress. The BCB wanted Mohammad Salahuddin as the national team’s assistant coach. Having served in the role before, Salahuddin was also keen to return to his familiar duties.
With everything aligning perfectly, the BCB has finalized the decision to appoint him as the assistant coach of the Bangladesh team until the Champions Trophy. An official announcement is expected within a day or two. On August 21, after taking over as BCB president, Faruk Ahmed mentioned that qualified local coaches would be given responsibilities across various BCB teams, including the national team. While a head coach couldn’t be appointed immediately, he expressed his intention to bring in local coaches as assistant or specialist coaches.
“At one time, Salahuddin was a part-time cricket coach at BKSP. In 2005, he joined the national team as the fielding coach.”
During the Chattogram Test against South Africa, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Faruk hinted, without naming anyone, that a local assistant coach was being considered for the national team.
In line with this, Salahuddin visited the BCB office at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur today at the invitation of BCB President Faruk Ahmed. Following positive discussions, only the official announcement remains.
Salahuddin will begin his renewed journey with the national team from the West Indies tour. He will serve as the assistant to head coach Phil Simmons until the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February. There’s a high chance that his contract will be extended beyond that. Simmons’ contract is also currently set until the Champions Trophy.
Previously, Salahuddin served as a part-time cricket coach at BKSP. He joined the national team in 2005 as the fielding coach and remained with them until 2010, also taking on the role of assistant coach.
With nearly 25 years of coaching experience, Salahuddin is known as a successful coach in the Premier Cricket League and the BPL. Under his guidance, Comilla Victorians won the BPL title four times.
