Hannan Sarkar Named U-19 Coach as Mahmudullah Joins Pannel

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a high-profile restructuring of its age-group coaching setup. Former national opening batsman and national selector Hannan Sarkar has been appointed as the new head coach of the Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team. In an equally significant move, veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has been brought on board as a mentor to guide the country’s next generation of cricketers.

Asif Siraj Rabbani, an official from the BCB’s Game Development committee, made the formal announcement during a press conference in Mirpur on Monday. He clarified that Mahmudullah’s mentorship would extend beyond the Under-19 squad, as he will serve as a consultant across various age-group and high-performance development structures.

Sarkar Returns to Familiar Territory with New Dreams

Hannan Sarkar is no stranger to the youth setup. He previously served as a youth selector during a golden era for Bangladesh’s junior cricket. Notably, he was part of the selection panel when Bangladesh secured their maiden Under-19 World Cup title in South Africa in 2020.

Although he subsequently transitioned into the senior national selection committee, his passion for active coaching prompted him to step down from that administrative role. His recent coaching credentials in the domestic circuit have been exemplary, having guided traditional powerhouse Abahani Limited to the prestigious Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) title last season.

Reflecting on his new role, Sarkar expressed his long-held passion for the craft. “Coaching has always been a dream of mine,” Sarkar said. “I was involved in coaching even before becoming a national selector. After retiring from competitive cricket in 2011, I spent three years coaching in the Premier League and first-class teams in the National Cricket League. Following a nine-year journey as a selector, this opportunity arose. With the board actively prioritising and promoting local coaches, my old dream of returning to the field has been reignited.”

Strategic Inclusions for Upcoming Australia Tour

Whilst Mahmudullah Riyad has stepped away from international cricket, he remains an active competitor in the domestic arena. The BCB intends to leverage his immense tactical and on-field experience to help junior players handle high-pressure scenarios.

The board is already mapping out extensive travel plans to integrate senior figures into upcoming pathways programmes. The BCB is keen to include Mahmudullah in the support staff for the High Performance (HP) unit’s upcoming tour of Australia.

Furthermore, the board plans to utilize the expertise of former national opening batsman Imrul Kayes for the same Australian series. Kayes, who currently resides in Australia, is expected to join the coaching staff temporarily. The board hopes his extensive knowledge of local conditions and long international career will provide invaluable insights to the batsmen. Through these strategic appointments, the BCB looks determined to build a robust pipeline by keeping trusted domestic icons at the core of their development system.