Mohammad Salahuddin is a name that once echoed through every Bangladesh Premier League season. His coaching excellence, calm demeanour, and acute understanding of T20 cricket made him not only the face of the Comilla Victorians but also one of the most decorated coaches in the league’s history. Under his leadership, Comilla captured four titles, setting a benchmark for consistency and tactical excellence.
But cricket evolves, and so do careers. With Comilla not participating since the last edition of the BPL, Salahuddin has shifted his focus firmly towards the national team, where he now serves as the senior assistant coach. The next BPL is scheduled to begin on 26 December, and naturally, the question of nostalgia surfaced once again.
During a press interaction at Mirpur after overseeing a batting session, Salahuddin was asked whether he misses the BPL. His reply was succinct but revealing: “I don’t naturally miss anything.” It was an answer that reflected detachment, professionalism, and perhaps a belief that looking forward matters more than looking back.
Salahuddin was present at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium to supervise the special batting camp arranged for Bangladesh’s white-ball specialists. This camp, scheduled from 6 to 13 December, serves as a rare window for players to focus solely on improving their skills without the pressure of upcoming matches. Given the relentless international schedule, such opportunities have become scarce.
“There is no end to improvement,” Salahuddin said, addressing the purpose behind the camp. “Often, people point out technical deficiencies in players, but we hardly get uninterrupted time to work on them. The team is constantly travelling or preparing for series.”
The emphasis this week has been on sharpening T20 batting skills. Bangladesh’s T20 cricket has seen a slow but steady rise, and Salahuddin detailed the areas they are working on: “Players need to know how to find gaps more effectively, use the bowler’s pace wisely, minimise risk while still scoring boundaries, and take singles more consistently. These small tactical aspects determine success in modern T20 cricket.”
Bangladesh’s T20 statistics this year reflect progress. With 15 wins out of 30 matches, they equalled their highest total victories in a single year. Yet Salahuddin insisted on maintaining perspective: “We have not achieved major success, but the improvement is clear. Our planning for the T20 World Cup and consistent series have helped. Still, there is much to refine.”
His measured observations underline a broader truth: while he may have once been the face of a successful franchise, Salahuddin is now anchored firmly in national duty. The BPL chapter was glorious, but it is the future that commands his attention.
