Mohammad Ashraful Out as Bangladesh Batting Coach Ahead of West Indies Tests

Bangladesh’s Test camp has been hit by a late shake-up. Just days before the West Indies series begins in Dhaka, Mohammad Ashraful has left his role as national batting coach. The timing is striking, and the questions about the batting unit are already piling up.

Ashraful Exits Before the West Indies Series

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has parted ways with Ashraful ahead of the two-match Test series against West Indies. The first Test starts at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on October 28.

Ashraful had still joined the national players for a training session at the venue on Saturday, October 24. Soon after, the news of his departure emerged.

What Ashraful Said

The former Bangladesh batter confirmed the development himself. "Yes, I am not working with the national team," he said. "I am waiting for my next assignment."

His words were calm and measured, but the change has landed at a sensitive moment for the side.

Salahuddin Steps In on an Interim Basis

BCB High Performance Unit head coach Mohammad Salahuddin is set to take over the batting coach role on an interim basis. He will work with the squad during the home series against West Indies.

That gives Bangladesh continuity in the dressing room for the Dhaka Tests. It also leaves the longer-term question open.

Ashraful’s Tenure in Numbers

Ashraful’s time in the job began in November 2025. Across eight Tests in that period, Bangladesh won five, drew one and lost two. Here is the snapshot:

The High Points

Bangladesh swept Ireland 2-0 in Tests and beat Pakistan by the same margin in May. Mushfiqur Rahim was player of the series against Pakistan with 253 runs, including a national-record 14th Test hundred.

In white-ball cricket, Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-1 in an ODI series in March. They then won their first men’s ODI series against Australia in June, taking it 2-1.

The Mixed Results and Recent Slump

Not everything went to plan. Bangladesh drew the Test series against Australia 1-1 in August, winning in Darwin before being bowled out for 64 and beaten inside two days in Mackay. Australia also won the T20I series 3-0 in June.

More recently, the batting struggled in the Asian Games in Japan and the Tri-nation series in Abu Dhabi. That uneven form may have played a part in the decision.

A Record That Still Stands Out

Even so, 11 centuries in 34 internationals between November 2025 and October 2026 is a significant return. It shows the group could build big scores when it clicked.

What Comes Next for Bangladesh

Salahuddin now has little time to settle in. With the first Test only days away, the batters will need to adapt quickly in familiar home conditions.

The longer-term picture is less clear. The board will have to decide who guides the batting group beyond this series, and the West Indies Tests will be an early test of how the side responds.

For Bangladesh, the focus now shifts back to the field. A strong batting display in Dhaka would calm the noise quickly.