The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially parted ways with national team batting coach Mohammad Ashraful. The decision comes shortly before the start of the two-match Test series against the West Indies, which is scheduled to commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on October 28. Following notification from the BCB cricket operations department, Ashraful confirmed his departure from the role, having exited the national players’ WhatsApp group on October 24 with a brief farewell message. Understands Ashraful was informed about the move by BCB cricket operation with the former player leaving the national players’ Whatsapp group stating ‘Thank You’ on Saturday(October 24).
Addressing his dismissal, Ashraful told sources, “Yes, I am not working with the national team,” while noting he is currently awaiting his next professional assignment. To manage the upcoming home series, the board has appointed Mohammad Salahuddin, the head coach of the BCB High Performance Unit, to serve in the role on an interim basis. A board official indicated that the administration is also in active discussions with potential foreign candidates to fill the batting coach position permanently.
Ashraful’s tenure, which began in November 2025, saw the team achieve several milestones, including a 2-0 Test series sweep against Ireland and a identical result against Pakistan in May. Notably, Mushfiqur Rahim delivered a standout performance during the Pakistan series, securing a national-record 14th Test century. Under Ashraful’s guidance, the team also achieved their first-ever men’s ODI series victory against Australia in June and a T20I series win over Pakistan in March. Overall, the national side managed to score 11 centuries across 34 international matches during his time in the dugout. When Mushfiqur Rahim was player of the series with 253 runs, including a national-record 14th Test hundred, bangladesh swept Ireland 2-0 in Tests and beat Pakistan by the same margin in May.
Despite these highlights, recent results appeared to influence the board’s decision. While Bangladesh secured five victories in eight Test matches under his watch, the team faced inconsistent form, including a 1-1 Test series draw with Australia in August—where a win in Darwin was offset by an innings defeat in Mackay—and a 3-0 loss in the June T20I series against the Australians. Furthermore, lackluster offensive displays during the Asian Games in Japan and the Tri-nation series in Abu Dhabi are believed to have contributed to the sudden leadership change. Winning in Darwin before being bowled out for 64 and beaten inside two days in Mackay, bangladesh drew the Test series against Australia 1-1 in August.
