The Bangladesh Cricket Board has unveiled a significant overhaul of its youth development structure, appointing former national opener Hannan Sarkar as the new head coach of the Under-19 set-up. The announcement was made at a press conference held in Mirpur, where the governing body outlined a renewed vision for building a stronger and more modern pathway for emerging cricketers.
In a parallel move, seasoned all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has been named as team mentor, a role designed to provide strategic insight and mental conditioning support to young players across age-group levels, High Performance units, and national pathways. The board believes his vast international experience will be instrumental in shaping decision-making under pressure and fostering professionalism within the youth ranks.
Hannan Sarkar brings with him a diverse background in both playing and cricket administration. During the 2020 Under-19 World Cup cycle, he served on the junior selection panel, which oversaw Bangladesh’s historic title-winning campaign. He later progressed to the senior national selection committee before shifting his focus fully towards coaching. In domestic cricket, he has held key roles, including head coach of Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier Division and involvement in a Bangladesh Premier League championship-winning setup. Most recently, he guided the Under-17 programme, earning promotion to lead the Under-19 squad.
The newly formed coaching unit places strong emphasis on home-grown expertise. Out of six members, five are former Bangladesh cricketers or experienced domestic coaches. Former national fast bowler Dollar Mahmud has been appointed as pace bowling coach, while fielding responsibilities have been assigned to Mohammad Selim, who previously served within the Under-19 structure. Additional assistant coaching roles and technical support positions have been included, though some appointments are yet to be formally disclosed.
Former opener Imrul Kayes will act as mentor during overseas assignments, particularly with the Emerging team and High Performance squad on upcoming tours, including planned exposure trips to Australia.
Youth Coaching Structure
| Position | Appointee | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Hannan Sarkar | Former national opener; ex-selector; domestic coach |
| Mentor | Mahmudullah Riyad | Senior national team batter and leader |
| Pace Bowling Coach | Dollar Mahmud | Former national fast bowler |
| Fielding Coach | Mohammad Selim | Previous Under-19 support staff |
| Assistant Coach | Not publicly disclosed | Domestic coaching staff |
| Touring Mentor | Imrul Kayes | Former national opener |
Speaking after his appointment, Hannan Sarkar emphasised that his primary objective is not merely short-term success but the long-term production of international-standard cricketers. He highlighted the importance of mental resilience, tactical awareness, and consistency as the cornerstones of modern elite cricket development.
Alongside the coaching restructuring, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has also announced the establishment of a new performance analysis centre at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. This facility will digitally archive and assess player performances from Under-14 level through to the senior national team, enabling more data-driven talent tracking and long-term planning.
The overall restructuring is widely viewed as a strategic investment in Bangladesh’s cricketing future, combining experience, technology, and structured mentorship to strengthen the national pipeline.
