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DHAKA, Nov 10, 2024 (BSS)—Bangladesh’s newly appointed senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin is keen to guide the new generation cricketers astutely to make them new stars. 

Salahuddin, known as the mentor of country’s two biggest stars—Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal—believes there are many cricketers in the pipeline who can fill the void of those two stalwarts.

According to him, it will take persistence and hard work to emulate the likes of Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim.

“When Shakib, Tamim and Mushfiqur came they were not top players. They actually work hard for a long time and finally reached this stage because of their desire and self-motivation,” Salahauddin said.

Salahuddin, in his first press meet being appointed as the national team’s senior assistant coach, said that the new generation cricketers have the knack for hard work.

“We can’t say that these boys do not have that motivation. These players have the desire to go on top,” he said, adding that these players should be guided well to give them a platform from where they can thrive in.

“If these boys are properly guided, they may emerge as star players one day. They must give the efforts. Moreover, everyone must support these boys.”

The biggest problem of Bangladeshi cricketers is inconsistency. The management is trying their best to find out the reason of the inconsistency, said Salahuddin.

“We’ve to find it out first whether it is technical or psychological,” he remarked.
“We can’t say directly whether it is a technical problem or a mental problem or problem for not practicing much.  We have a lot of coaching staff, they know the players well. I think the problem will be sorted out.”

“It is not right to expect that everything will change overnight. At least psychologically they can improve. Let's hope they will go to a good stage.”

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has put faith on foreign coaches in every post of the national team's coaching panel. This time, the country's cricket apex body has appointed the local coach Mohammad Salahuddin on a five-month contract by creating a new post of 'senior assistant coach'.

When Salahuddin took over the charge, the national team was in the United Arab Emirates for an ODI series against Afghanistan. 

However, he started his work by guiding the other players who are in the country now. His assignment will begin with the national team during their West Indies tour.
 
What will be his responsibility in the crowd of foreign coaches? Such curious questions have been circulating ever since the appointment of Salahuddin. 

He, however, cleared the air by saying: 'Since there is assistant coach and head coaches here, my task is to help them in guiding the side as well as helping the cricketers as much as I can.”

Salahuddin, who has two decades of experience, previously worked with the Tigers as an assistant and fielding coach from 2006 to 2010.

"My responsibility may be a little different compared to the previous time. I will try to help the cricketers to improve them in psychological and technical aspects. , Moreover there will be a goal from my part to improve the communication between the coaches and cricketers.”