BCB in talks with Mahmudullah for U-19 mentor role

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to appoint former national team captain Mahmudullah Riyad as mentor of the men’s U-19 team, a top board official said on Thursday.

According to the official, Mahmudullah, who remains active in domestic cricket and is currently representing Prime Bank Cricket Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, has also expressed interest in taking up the role.

“We are currently in discussion regarding this role. However, he will continue playing domestic cricket alongside this job,” the BCB official, requesting anonymity, said.

Another BCB official said the discussions are still at a preliminary stage, with no official decision yet made regarding the contract or the timeframe of his responsibilities.

Mahmudullah, who announced his retirement from international cricket last year following the ICC Champions Trophy, attended a specialised three-day batting coaching course organised by the BCB in September last year.

The 40-year-old enjoyed an international career spanning nearly 18 years, playing 50 Tests, 239 ODIs, and 141 T20Is for Bangladesh, scoring more than 11,000 runs and claiming 166 wickets.

He also captained Bangladesh in six Tests between 2018 and 2019, and led the side in 43 T20Is from 2018 to 2022.