‘The batters’ averages have been around 50-52 or 45': Ashraful defends batting form during his tenure
Mohammad Ashraful has defended his record as Bangladesh’s batting coach, pointing to healthy Test averages across his tenure after his removal.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, the former captain said the batters delivered consistently over eight Tests since the Ireland series in November 2025.
“The batters’ averages have also been around 50-52 or 45. All the batters have been performing well.”
“There have been nine centuries and 22-23 fifties in eight Tests. And 100-run partnerships have been formed regularly.”
He pointed to the results since he took charge.
“I started my role with the Ireland series in November 2025. I said at the time that our Test team was the most organised and experienced. If you look at the results, since I joined, Alhamdulillah, we have won five of eight Tests and drawn one.”
He accepted that results slipped only when partnerships failed to form, in the Test against Zimbabwe and in Mackay, where Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 and 95. Even so, he said the team remains on a good track before the West Indies series.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the change in a press release on Saturday night, October 24, naming Mohammad Salahuddin interim batting coach. It did not announce a dismissal, and Ashraful said he was told he had been given a rest for now.
“I only found out yesterday. After Maghrib, I heard that I had been relieved of my duties as national team batting coach. I was told that if there is any assignment over the next three months, I will be informed.”
He rejected any suggestion of unfair treatment.
“No injustice has been done to me. The BCB has removed me in accordance with the rules.”
“Those of us who work as coaches have contracts structured in such a way that the cricket board can assign us to work elsewhere if it wishes. That falls within their authority.”
The batters’ averages have also been around 50-52 or 45. All the batters have been performing well. There have been nine centuries and 22-23 fifties in eight Tests. And 100-run partnerships have been formed regularly.
Mohammad Ashraful, former Bangladesh batting coach
BCB sources say his contract runs until January 31, so the board could place him with age group teams, the High Performance (HP) unit or a divisional side. Ashraful would gladly accept any assignment and calls his 11 months with the team a source of pride.
Asked why the decision came, he said the board is better placed to explain.
The move is believed to follow batting failures in the ODI tri nation series in the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh, led by Towhid Hridoy, were bowled out for under 200 in both matches and missed the final. No official reason has been given.
Bangladesh made 172 chasing 271 against Zimbabwe, then 160 after batting first against Afghanistan. Their white ball batting has struggled for a long time, even though the Test side have performed comparatively well, a contrast that frames his defence of the Test record.
Salahuddin, who heads the High Performance unit, will lead the batting group for the West Indies series from Wednesday, and a permanent coach is to be sought afterwards.