Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring of its youth development system, appointing former national opener Hannan Sarkar as the new head coach of the youth programme. The announcement was made at a press conference in Mirpur, where officials outlined a long-term strategy aimed at building a more modern, disciplined and performance-driven pipeline for emerging cricketers.
Alongside Sarkar’s appointment, seasoned international cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad has been brought in as team mentor. His role is expected to focus on strengthening the mental resilience, tactical awareness and professional habits of young players transitioning through age-group cricket into elite levels.
Sarkar brings extensive experience across multiple facets of Bangladesh cricket. He served on the junior selection panel during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup cycle, playing a key role in identifying emerging talent. He later worked as a national selector before shifting fully into coaching. In domestic cricket, he recently led Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier League and has also been involved in Bangladesh Premier League-winning setups. Prior to his elevation, he coached the Under-17 side, which laid the foundation for his current role.
The newly formed six-member coaching unit places strong emphasis on local expertise. Former national pacer Dollar Mahmud has been appointed as the pace bowling coach, while fielding responsibilities will be handled by Mohammad Selim, who has prior experience with youth teams. Additional assistant and technical staff members have been included, although the board has yet to formally disclose all names.
A key innovation in the structure is the introduction of a dual mentorship system. In addition to Mahmudullah’s ongoing involvement, former opener Imrul Kayes will serve as touring mentor during upcoming overseas assignments, including the Australia tour. This arrangement is designed to expose young cricketers to high-pressure international environments while receiving direct guidance from experienced professionals.
Sarkar emphasised that the objective of the programme extends beyond short-term results. The focus, he noted, is on producing technically sound and mentally robust cricketers capable of sustaining international careers. He highlighted the importance of consistency, decision-making and adaptability in modern cricket.
In parallel, the BCB has announced the establishment of a new performance analysis centre at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The facility will digitally archive and analyse player performances from Under-14 level upwards, enabling coaches to track development trends, identify technical flaws and design targeted improvement plans.
Youth Coaching Structure
| Role | Appointee | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Hannan Sarkar | Former national opener, selector and domestic coach |
| Mentor | Mahmudullah Riyad | Senior national team batter and leader |
| Pace Bowling Coach | Dollar Mahmud | Former national fast bowler |
| Fielding Coach | Mohammad Selim | Experienced youth fielding coach |
| Assistant Coach | Not disclosed | Technical support staff |
| Touring Mentor | Imrul Kayes | Former national opener |
This restructuring is widely viewed as a significant step towards aligning Bangladesh’s youth cricket framework with modern high-performance standards, combining experience, structured mentorship and data-driven development to strengthen the country’s long-term cricketing future.