Former Bangladesh national team captain Mohammad Ashraful has expressed his determination to excel in his new role as the batting coach for the Bangladesh Under-19 team. Speaking to local media following his official appointment by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Ashraful emphasised his commitment to delivering meaningful results, stating that he intends to offer his finest effort to refine the technical capabilities of the country’s youth prospects. His assignment follows a strategic restructuring within the board’s coaching setup, transitioning him from senior team responsibilities to focus on junior talent development.
Preparations for the upcoming continental campaign will commence on Thursday, 5 November, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The intensive training camp will operate under the guidance of head coach Sohel Islam, with Ashraful working alongside him to enhance the squad’s tactical mindset and stroke selection.
Reflecting on the appointment, Ashraful conveyed a practical approach to the assignment. He noted that the board has placed its trust in him, and it is now his primary duty to execute his responsibilities with complete professionalism. Analysts view his extensive experience at the international level as a crucial asset for young players preparing to navigate high-pressure environments in regional competitions.
The team’s focus centers on the upcoming Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, set to begin on 19 November in Qatar. This eight-team championship will feature the 50-over One Day International (ODI) format, offering crucial competitive exposure for emerging players across the continent. Participating nations have been divided into two groups for the opening stage:
* **Group A:** Bangladesh ‘A’, Sri Lanka ‘A’, Afghanistan ‘A’, and Hong Kong.
* **Group B:** India ‘A’, Pakistan ‘A’, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates.
With Mirpur’s spin-friendly surfaces offering an ideal setting for technical refinement, the coaching panel aims to establish tactical resilience prior to the squad’s departure for Doha. The BCB views this tournament as an essential stepping stone for identifying future national prospects, while Ashraful’s mentorship is expected to provide the junior batters with the confidence required to perform consistently on the Asian stage.
