The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has removed former national captain Mohammad Ashraful from his role as senior batting coach following a string of dismal team performances on the international stage.
Renowned domestic coach Mohammad Salahuddin will step in to take charge of the batting division for the upcoming home series against the West Indies.
Ashraful’s original contract ran through to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November 2027. Despite the long-term commitment, the board opted to terminate his tenure early after reviewing the national team’s recent batting collapses and inconsistent displays.
The former skipper originally joined the national coaching setup in 2025 ahead of Bangladesh’s home series against Ireland. Initially hired on a short-term trial for that single assignment, Ashraful earned an extension through to late 2027 after the squad produced encouraging performances during the series.
Ashraful served as national batting coach for nearly a year. While individual batters produced occasional standout performances during his tenure, the unit struggled to show sustained technical improvement or tactical composure. Concerns mounted within the BCB over recurring middle-order collapses and a lack of adaptability under pressure.
Matters reached a breaking point following the recent tri-nation tournament, where Bangladesh’s batting lineup repeatedly failed to post competitive totals. The disappointing showing prompted the board’s cricket operations division to reassess the coaching structure, ultimately leading to Ashraful’s departure.
The BCB hopes that Salahuddin’s appointment ahead of the West Indies tour will bring much-needed technical stability and tactical discipline to the national side as they seek to rebuild confidence before major ICC tournaments.
