The future of Mohammad Salahuddin, Bangladesh's national senior assistant and batting coach, has become a hot topic, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) maintaining a perplexing silence amidst growing pressure and public speculation. While BCB President Aminul Islam offered a somewhat evasive defence of Salahuddin's performance, the coach himself has defiantly hit back at accusations of favouritism, demanding concrete evidence.
During an impromptu press conference in Dhaka on July 14th, BCB President Aminul Islam was asked to assess Salahuddin's tenure. "Firstly, I feel our batting coach Mohammad Salahuddin is doing quite well, and in the midst of the series, I won't like to make a comment. We will see after the series," Aminul stated, offering little in the way of a definitive endorsement.
Aminul then delved into a philosophical take on batting coaching, describing it as akin to a doctor's role. "Batting is something you have to learn... A batting coach's role is somewhat like that of a doctor. They have to diagnose the problem and provide the right remedy. That's why a batting coach is absolutely essential." He acknowledged the need for "dynamic or versatile coaching" in the modern T20 format, contrasting it with traditional coaching manuals.
Aminul's comments came just days after chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain publicly indicated that the board was actively seeking to appoint a batting coach, a strong hint that Salahuddin's position might be under review. This public divergence in messaging from within the BCB only adds to the sense of uncertainty surrounding Salahuddin's role.
Salahuddin, however, addressed the issue head-on during a press conference ahead of Bangladesh's series-deciding T20I against Sri Lanka in Colombo. His response was both candid and defiant. "I'm a coach. If you tell me to go and coach an Under-13 side, I have no problem. I don't carry a tag that I must be with the national team," he declared, signalling his lack of attachment to the top job.
He further asserted, "If someone better comes (in the role of a batting coach), it will be for the team. The Bangladesh team is not the property of my father and grandfather." Acknowledging the inherent scrutiny of his profession, he added, "I will get criticised when I don't do well, I will get praised when I do well. It is the reality.
Whether I give 100% for my team, whether I am honest or not, is the main concern."
Recent media reports have claimed that Salahuddin wields significant influence over team decisions, including selections and player roles, partly due to his long-standing ties and mentor-like relationship with several key players, including Shakib Al Hasan. However, Salahuddin did not take kindly to these suggestions of favouritism.
"After coaching for 27-28 years, I am hearing that there are lots of complaints in the team against me. I really would like to know about those complaints. Best if it was given to me in writing. You have to provide hard evidence. It will help me correct myself," he demanded, challenging his critics to provide tangible proof. "If I feel that the team needs a change for the good of the team, I will most likely do that. Our team has been losing regularly, so how will I benefit from favouritism?" he questioned, highlighting the illogic of such accusations given the team's poor form. "If there's proof, it helps the coach too - he can improve from it," he added, reiterating his call for concrete evidence.
Salahuddin concluded with a poignant reflection on his resilience: "Maybe I'm just mentally strong. Otherwise, many others would have crumbled by now. And it's not like I have to work here. I've got other things to do. I didn't chase this job. I'm here because I thought I could help the team improve - even a little bit." He reiterated his openness to being removed if deemed an ineffective coach, but stressed the importance of justification. "You can't just write things without justification. That's not right. You need to ask if someone is honest or dishonest."
Salahuddin's appointment last November, initially as assistant coach and later as batting coach, was seen as an attempt to integrate more local expertise into the national setup, a space where local coaches often struggle to find a foothold. However, the board's growing impatience, evident in the chief selector's public comments, suggests his time may be limited. His situation draws parallels with former coach Khaled Mahmud, who was removed after an ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 2019. Whether Salahuddin, with nearly three decades of experience, will be given the necessary time to instil the hunger and mindset he desires in the team remains an unanswered question, shrouded in the BCB's characteristic coyness.
