Bangladesh Cricket has unveiled a refreshed leadership structure for its youth development programme, appointing former national cricketer and selector Hannan Sarkar as the new head coach of the Under-19 team, while veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has been named mentor. The announcement was made by Asif Siraj Rabbani during a press conference on Monday, signalling the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s continued emphasis on strengthening its pathway for emerging talent.
Mahmudullah’s responsibilities will extend beyond the Under-19 squad. According to the board, he will also serve as an adviser to various development-level teams, sharing his vast international experience with the country’s next generation of cricketers.
Hannan Sarkar is no stranger to Bangladesh’s youth cricket structure. He previously served as a selector for the Under-19 team and was part of the selection panel when Bangladesh claimed its historic first ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title in 2020. After later joining the national selection committee, he stepped down to pursue coaching full-time.
His transition into coaching has already produced notable success. Under his guidance, Abahani Limited won the Dhaka Premier League title last season, enhancing his reputation as one of the country’s promising domestic coaches. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has now entrusted him with leading the national youth side at a crucial stage of player development.
Speaking about his appointment, Hannan said coaching had always been one of his long-term ambitions. He explained that he had begun coaching even before becoming a national selector, continuing to work in domestic cricket after retiring as a player in 2011. During that period, he coached in the Dhaka Premier League for three years and also worked in the National Cricket League.
Reflecting on his career path, Hannan said that after spending nine years as a selector, the opportunity to return to coaching was particularly appealing. He added that the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s recent commitment to promoting local coaches had encouraged him to pursue his long-held ambition once again. He expressed enthusiasm about working with the country’s most promising young cricketers and helping prepare them for the demands of international cricket.
Mahmudullah, despite retiring from international cricket, remains active in the domestic game. His appointment as mentor is expected to provide valuable guidance for developing players, particularly in areas such as leadership, temperament and match awareness. Having represented Bangladesh across all formats for many years, his experience is regarded as a significant asset for the country’s emerging cricketers.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board is also planning to involve former national opening batter Imrul Kayes, who currently resides in Australia, in the coaching set-up for an upcoming High Performance Unit tour of Australia. Officials believe that drawing upon the expertise of experienced former internationals will strengthen the development structure and help prepare young players for the transition to senior international cricket.
The latest appointments underline the board’s growing focus on building a sustainable talent pipeline through experienced local professionals. With Hannan Sarkar leading the Under-19 side, Mahmudullah mentoring development squads and plans to involve Imrul Kayes in future programmes, Bangladesh hopes to create a stronger foundation for the next generation of international cricketers while continuing the country’s recent progress in youth cricket.