![Mohammad Ashraful [Source: x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792860165408_Bangladesh.jpg?type=hq)
Mohammad Ashraful [Source: x]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has axed Mohammad Ashraful as the batting coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. The board confirmed the decision mere days prior to Bangladesh’s upcoming two-match home Test series against West Indies.
A report also states that his interim replacement has been named before the home Test series.
Mohammad Ashraful axed as coach, leaves players’ WhatsApp group
As reported by Cricbuzz, Mohammad Ashraful was informed that he was removed as team’s batting coach by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The former Bangladesh captain subsequently left the national players' WhatsApp group with a message ‘Thank You’ on Saturday, October 24.
Ashraful himself confirmed the development to the aforementioned publication shortly after having a training session with Bangladesh players for the upcoming home Test series against West Indies.
He said “Yes, I am not working with the national team.”
The former cricketer also added that he is waiting for the next assignment of his career at the moment.
As of now, the BCB is looking to appoint his replacement. For the upcoming Test series against the visiting West Indies cricket team, BCB High-Performance Unit’s head coach Mohammad Salahuddin has been appointed as their interim batting coach.
For a full-time appointment, Salahuddin said “We are in discussion with some foreign batting coaches.”
Why was Mohammad Ashraful axed as Bangladesh’s batting coach
While the BCB has not revealed any exact reason behind the removal of Mohammad Ashraful as Bangladesh’s batting coach, one can assume that the team’s recent underwhelming performance played a huge part in that decision.
For starters, the Bangladesh cricket team failed to reach the final of the UAE 2026 ODI tri-series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe earlier this month. Moreover, they were bundled out for scores of 172 and 160 in their two matches of the series.
Bangladesh also failed to secure a top three finish at the 2026 Men’s T20 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan last month.
Bangladesh’s performance in Test cricket under Mohammad Ashraful, however, witnessed a rapid rise in recent months. Since his tenure began in November last year, Bangladesh registered emphatic Test series wins over Ireland and Pakistan, and also recorded a historic win over Australia ‘Down Under’ in Darwin just a couple of months ago.
Nevertheless, with the BCB yet to disclose the precise reasoning behind his removal, Ashraful’s abrupt departure comes as a surprise given Bangladesh’s notable improvement in Test cricket during his tenure.
