Ashraful to continue as Bangladesh's batting coach
A Bangladesh Cricket Board official said on Thursday that the board has decided to extend Mohammad Ashraful's role as batting coach.
Ashraful had initially been added to the support staff only for the home series against Ireland, but BCB's cricket operations chairman told Cricbuzz that the former national captain will continue in the position going forward.
Cricbuzz understands Ashraful will be part of the team management for the upcoming T20 World Cup and is expected to receive another extension after the tournament. His stint could run through to the 2027 ODI World Cup, subject to the team's performance.
"Ashraful will continue as our batting coach," Nazmul said. "Well, it's his early days as a coach, but I've been hearing him talk for a long time. He talks on TV, says this and that, and I also talk to him. I think he is a very potential coach.
"Understanding batting is one thing, coaching is another. The characteristics needed for coaching are in him. He has a real interest in it. He's not coming here just to make or secure a career. He enjoys it and he is learning very fast. He is doing well."
Nazmul also confirmed that Mohammad Salahuddin will continue as senior assistant coach. Cricbuzz has learnt that his resignation, tendered after the Ireland series, was not accepted by the board, and he later changed his mind after discussions with senior officials regarding his future in the national set-up.
"He (Salahuddin) will also continue, as his resignation was not accepted," Nazmul said.
He added that the BCB will adopt a flexible approach to coaching roles. "Our policy now will be that no matter who the coach is, whether a foreign coach of the national team or a local coach, we will use them in different roles. Sometimes with the national team, sometimes with the A team, sometimes with High Performance, depending on availability and what we need at that time."
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons will hold a short training camp with the T20I squad at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from December 6, where both Ashraful and Salahuddin are expected to be present.
