The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appears to have a complex relationship with local coaches, often sidelining them in favour of foreign experts, despite vocal commitments to developing domestic talent. This trend persists even within the national team's coaching structure, where overseas staff dominate due to the belief that they offer the best prospects for advancement.
Exceptions to this pattern, such as Khaled Mahmud's interim coaching role, seem more like temporary solutions than genuine efforts to integrate local coaches. Mohammad Salahuddin, another prominent coach with a history as an assistant under Jamie Siddons, has also been hesitant to pursue roles within the national setup, considering the broader circumstances.
Both Mahmud and Salahuddin did not apply for coaching positions advertised by the BCB following a series of significant changes to the national team after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Despite their proven success in the domestic arena, the BCB president, Nazmul Hasan, has downplayed the likelihood of either coach assuming the head coach position soon.
When questioned about the role of local coaches in the national setup, Hasan expressed frustration, noting that while the BCB had invited applications, no local coaches had stepped forward. He emphasised that coaching a national team differs significantly from managing club or franchise teams and suggested that local coaches should be open to learning, even if it means starting as assistant coaches.
Hasan acknowledged the need for a structured process to develop local coaching talent, eventually leading to an all-local coaching staff for the national team. However, he stressed that this transition should not come with conditions attached.
According to insights from Cricbuzz, prominent domestic coaches like Mahmud and Salahuddin are reluctant to accept assistant coaching roles, given their established reputations. This situation demotivates other local coaches, as they see limited opportunities for advancement despite their domestic achievements, often with players who are now part of the national team.
Veteran coach Nazmul Abedin, who recently left the BCB after 14 years, believes that while there aren't many local coaches qualified to lead the national team, a few, including Mahmud and Salahuddin, have the potential if given the right opportunities. Abedin advocates for a developmental pathway for these coaches, rather than relegating them to assistant roles where they might not fully utilise their experience and expertise.
Abedin also pointed out that these coaches, with their significant experience in leagues and franchise cricket, would prefer roles that allow them to make independent decisions rather than serving in a supportive capacity under a head coach. He suggested that the BCB could consider appointing them to lead roles in the 'A' team or other national teams to further develop their skills.
Recently, the BCB appointed Sohel Islam, another notable coach, as the head of the Bangladesh Tigers Program, sparking speculation that this might be an effort to prepare him for a future role with the national team. However, given the BCB's history with local coaches, whether this move will lead to significant changes remains uncertain.