The generation of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim has taken Bangladesh cricket to a certain stage, but national team assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin believes it hasn’t progressed much further. According to one of Bangladesh’s most respected coaches, young cricketers need a shift in mindset to ensure further improvement in the country’s cricket. Salahuddin, who recently took on the role with the national team, hasn’t formally addressed the media yet, but he shared his views in a video on the official social media of the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday, November 8.
Salahuddin expressed, “We say Shakib, Tamim, and Mushfiq have taken cricket to a level, but if we can’t break past that level, then I believe Bangladesh cricket hasn’t moved forward. Our goal is for the next generation to become better players than them and achieve even greater heights. It’s not impossible. Players today are mentally, physically, and financially more secure than in the past. So, there’s a greater chance for them to excel.”
He also commented on the goals of younger players, saying, “When you ask players from the High-Performance Unit or the Under-19 team about their goals, they often say they want to play for the national team. But the dream seems to end there. Once they’re in the national team, they don’t know how to set further targets. They don’t understand what kind of ambition or mentality they should have to become even bigger players or how to keep themselves motivated. It’s about small things—like how to think in the dressing room or outside of it. If they can be guided to have a clearer mindset, they will have a better future.”
Salahuddin sees his new role as a challenge and a responsibility, saying, “For a long time, we’ve heard the board wanted to give local coaches a platform. If I can pave the way, even if just for a short while, it could increase confidence in local coaches. Future local coaches might gain the trust of the board, the people, and even themselves that we can succeed on an international level. I feel someone needed to believe in this vision, and if I can uphold it, a bigger path will open for future coaches. As a coach, it’s my responsibility to lead this effort,and I have taken it as a challenge.”
