Mahmudullah to mentor Bangladesh U-19 after DPL, joins youth coaching pathway

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to bring Mahmudullah into its youth coaching pathway, with plans to appoint him as a mentor for the Bangladesh Under-19 squad once the current Dhaka Premier League (DPL) wraps up. The move follows his shift away from international cricket, as he has been active in domestic competitions and has shown increasing interest in mentoring roles.

Key takeaways

  • Mahmudullah is expected to join the BCB Under-19 setup after the Dhaka Premier League ends.
  • BCB’s Game Development chairman Faim Sinha confirmed Mahmudullah will be linked with the Under-19 squad when it is announced.
  • The board also considers extending his involvement to the Under-23 programme under its Game Development structure.
  • Mahmudullah participated in a three-day BCB batting course in September 2025 led by Ashley Ross and Ian Renshaw.
  • Mahmudullah framed the mentoring role as a chance to give back to Bangladesh cricket, particularly by helping younger players.

Mahmudullah to mentor Bangladesh Under-19s after the DPL

BCB’s decision comes after the conclusion of the Dhaka Premier League, described as Bangladesh’s traditional List A tournament. Mahmudullah, who has retired from international cricket and is now primarily active in domestic cricket, is scheduled to be attached to the Under-19 group following his ongoing stint with Prime Bank Cricketers in the DPL.

Faim Sinha, the BCB Game Development chairman, outlined the timeline and his intended involvement. He stated that Mahmudullah will step into the mentor role for the BCB Under-19 squad after the Dhaka Premier League finishes, and that he would be tagged with the Under-19 team at the point the squad is officially announced.

Sinha also clarified that while there is a separate coaching staff for the age group, Mahmudullah’s presence is meant to add an additional layer of guidance. The board wants him to work closely with the players and share observations that could help refine the overall system. Sinha added that the former international could offer suggestions aimed at improvement, even though the existing coaching structure would remain in place.

Possible expansion to the Under-23 programme

Beyond the Under-19s, the BCB is considering involving Mahmudullah with the Under-23 squad as well. Sinha pointed to a restructuring within the board’s Game Development programme, noting that the age bracket is being extended up to 23. In that plan, Mahmudullah would be used primarily for coaching and mentoring, with an overseeing role to support players as they progress through the pathway.

The approach suggests a gradual transition into full-time youth development work, with Mahmudullah’s experience being integrated into the board’s programme rather than replacing established staff.

Training stint earlier and Mahmudullah’s motivation

Mahmudullah’s mentoring direction has already been reflected in his recent preparation. In September 2025, he took part in a special batting course organised by the BCB. The programme ran for three days and was conducted by Australian experts Ashley Ross and Ian Renshaw, with participation from around 15 batting coaches. The focus was on developing coaching abilities, indicating that Mahmudullah has been preparing for a more structured role in player development.

When speaking about his readiness to embrace the mentoring responsibility, Mahmudullah said he saw the opportunity as a way to contribute to Bangladesh cricket. He described how BCB president Tamim Iqbal contacted him and discussed how, as Mahmudullah is still playing professional cricket, he could create a window to work with young players and share experiences. He said the conversation covered multiple aspects and that he viewed the role as a positive chance to support Bangladesh cricketers, especially the younger generation.

Speaking on Sunday (May 24), Mahmudullah added that it was an honour tied to the years he spent playing and the achievements Bangladesh cricket has delivered during that period. He said the “main motive” behind the decision was to give something back to Bangladesh cricket.

He also expressed optimism about the current team’s momentum, pointing out that Bangladesh have been winning across formats—Test matches, T20 matches, and ODI series—calling it a positive sign for the programme’s future. Mahmudullah concluded by hoping the next group of players will become even bigger and continue the upward trajectory.