The Story of a Comeback Mohammad Ashraful Returns - This Time as a Coach, Not a Batter

Mohammad Ashraful — the first hero of Bangladesh cricket. Once celebrated as the nation’s first “poster boy” of the game, he had captured the hearts of millions of fans. His heroic century at Cardiff in 2005 led Bangladesh to a historic win against Australia, a moment still remembered as one of the proudest chapters in the country’s cricket history. But the same hero’s name later became entangled in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) fixing scandal. After serving his suspension, he returned to domestic cricket but never made it back to the national team as a player. Now, he returns in a new role — as Bangladesh’s batting coach. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed him for the upcoming two-match Test series against Ireland.

Joining the team in Mirpur on Thursday, Ashraful spoke to the media before leaving for Sylhet on Friday. “Everyone has a dream,” he said. “After I quit playing, I decided I would become a cricket coach. Since I’ve had both good and bad innings in my life, I want to share those experiences. That’s why I wanted to move into coaching.”

Three years ago, Ashraful completed his Level Three Coaching Course in Abu Dhabi at his own expense. Since then, he has gained coaching experience in various formats — with Rangpur Riders, in the Global T20, the Dhaka Premier League, and the women’s league. “Rangpur Riders gave me a great opportunity,” he said. “In the Global T20, we became champions. Then I worked in the BPL, Dhaka Premier League, and the Women’s Premier League with Gulshan Youth. I’ve also coached a few clubs in between.”

Ashraful’s biggest concern as batting coach is ensuring consistency among Bangladesh’s batters. “I want our batters to score big runs in every second innings,” he said. “Our players are very talented and exciting. They all perform, but maybe once every two or three matches. My goal is to help them find that consistency — something I couldn’t always achieve in my own career.”

He believes being a coach brings less pressure than being a player. “As a player, once you enter the national team, there’s immense pressure to perform,” Ashraful explained. “All 180 million people judge your batting or bowling. For coaches, judgment comes only when the team doesn’t perform. During matches, a coach can only advise — the players have to read the situation and execute the plan.”

His relationship with head coach Phil Simmons has a special backstory. “I first met him in 1998 when I was a ball boy,” Ashraful recalled. “It was during the Wills Cup — West Indies were runners-up and South Africa were champions. I bowled a few deliveries to Simmons during his net session; one was a googly he couldn’t read. Then Royal Lewis told him to face me every day for half an hour to learn that googly. That’s how our relationship began.”

One of his former teammates, Mushfiqur Rahim, is now on the verge of playing his 100th Test match. Ashraful, who was in the dressing room during Mushfiq’s debut, will now be there as a coach. “I feel very lucky,” he said. “Allah has given me this opportunity at such a moment. I was there during Mushfiq’s first Test at Lord’s, and now I’ll be there for his 99th and 100th Tests. He’s been the most disciplined cricketer I’ve seen since childhood — that’s why he’s been playing for twenty years. I believe every current and future Bangladeshi cricketer should see Mushfiq as a role model.”

Regarding criticism over his appointment — including a Facebook post by Rubel Hossain — Ashraful remained calm: “Everyone has the right to their opinion. He played under my leadership in the national team and is a very good person. I have nothing more to say about it.”

About his responsibility and expectations, he said, “Of course there will be pressure. Any result-oriented job comes with pressure. But I’ve played international cricket for thirteen years — I’ve faced a lot of it. I’ve also faced personal crises and come back stronger. I always try to work with honesty and give my hundred percent.”

On the Sylhet pitch, he said, “We’ve played T20s there. The conditions are different from anywhere else in the country, especially the wicket. We can prepare spin-friendly or bouncy wickets, depending on what management wants. There will always be challenges — that’s what international cricket is about.”

Finally, addressing the media and critics, Ashraful made a humble request: “There was a time we used to wait for news at 8 or 9 p.m., or for the morning newspaper. Now news spreads every second — about what you’re doing or not doing. It’s tough for everyone. My only request is — please criticize, but do it thoughtfully. Everyone wants to give their best. In this field, criticism is normal. That’s life — when you do well, people lift you up; when you don’t, they pull you down. That’s life.”

Mohammad Ashraful’s return is not just professional — it’s symbolic. A story of redemption, of rediscovering oneself, and of inspiring the next generation. The hero of Cardiff is now on a new mission in the dressing room — not with the bat in hand, but with the coach’s board, ready to write a new chapter in Bangladesh cricket.