The two-Test series against Pakistan, beginning on 8 May, will mark Mohammad Salahuddin’s final assignment as Bangladesh’s national team senior assistant coach. Following this series, he is set to take over as head coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s High Performance (HP) unit.
The move follows discussions initiated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), with Salahuddin also concluding that his role at the national level has reached a natural transition point. He believes his contribution would be more effective in developing emerging cricketers through structured long-term work in the HP programme. He has already held a brief meeting with the BCB president regarding his new responsibilities.
Salahuddin was appointed senior assistant coach of the national team in November 2024. His existing contract with the BCB runs until the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. Although he will assume charge of the HP unit after the Pakistan series, the contractual timeline will remain unchanged. The current HP head coach, David Hemp, is expected to be reassigned to a different role within the setup.
Explaining his decision, Salahuddin stated that the HP programme is intended to prepare players for the highest level of international cricket, not only in technical skills but also in mindset and lifestyle discipline. He noted that his previous experience working with younger players influenced his decision to focus on player development at this stage.
He further emphasised that his recent tenure with the national side has given him a clearer understanding of the team’s requirements. According to him, Bangladesh still lacks a dependable all-rounder in white-ball cricket who can contribute with the ball and provide stability in the lower middle order, particularly at positions seven or eight. Addressing such gaps will be a priority in his new role.
The BCB’s player development structure currently includes the Under-19 team, High Performance unit, Bangladesh Tigers, and the senior national team. This framework is undergoing revision. The Bangladesh Tigers programme will be discontinued and replaced by an Under-23 team, designed to bridge the gap between Under-19 and senior international cricket. The HP unit will also function as a flexible development platform, allowing players to progress from lower levels while also enabling national team players to access specialised training when required.
A summary of the relevant structural and contractual details is presented below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Current role | Senior assistant coach, Bangladesh national team |
| New role | Head coach, High Performance unit |
| Transition period | After Pakistan Test series (from 8 May) |
| Contract duration | Until ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 |
| Initial appointment | November 2024 |
| Structural changes | Bangladesh Tigers to be replaced by Under-23 team |
| HP objective | Long-term player development and specialised training |
| Key focus area | Development of white-ball all-rounders and skill enhancement |
Salahuddin also outlined that the HP programme will not be based on short-term camps. Instead, it will operate throughout the year, ensuring continuous development. The objective, he noted, is to enable players to acquire specialised skills and progress systematically towards international cricket.