Mohammad Salahuddin has been appointed as the senior assistant coach for the Bangladesh cricket team, with a key responsibility of enhancing communication between the players and the foreign coaching staff.
His role is expected to help players more effectively understand and address challenges under the guidance of interim head coach Phil Simmons.
Acknowledging that the head coach's methods will be the primary strategy for the team, Salahuddin has committed to supporting Simmons' approach. However, he also emphasized the importance of ensuring that players feel confident and comfortable.
"Since I am the assistant coach and we have a head coach here, my role is to support his approach and assist the players as much as I can. My role might be different from what it was previously," Salahuddin said in a media interaction on Sunday. "I will try to help our players build more confidence and ensure that the communication between them and the foreign coaches improves."
Salahuddin, who has a deep understanding of Bangladeshi cricketers through years of coaching in domestic circuits, is seen as a familiar and trusted figure among the players. His experience and established rapport are expected to benefit the team greatly, especially in aligning with Simmons' tactics while also focusing on player morale and performance.
While he will officially start his duties during the upcoming West Indies tour, Salahuddin has already begun individual training sessions with national players. His appointment has been widely welcomed by fans who have long called for his inclusion in the national coaching setup.
Expressing his gratitude for the support, Salahuddin remarked, "The excitement is definitely there. I will do my best to meet the expectations of those who love and support me. It feels like a moral responsibility to respond to the love I’ve seen recently."
The cricketing community will be watching closely as Salahuddin integrates his coaching philosophy with that of Simmons, with hopes that the collaboration will elevate the performance of the Bangladesh cricket team.
