Cricket News

BCB Appoints Ashiqur Rahman Majumder as Fielding Coach for Pakistan Test Series

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A Tactical Shift: Bangladesh Strengthens Coaching Staff

With the highly anticipated two-match Test series against Pakistan set to kick off on May 8 in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has signaled its intent to secure a victory by making a strategic change to its coaching setup. As part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, both teams have arrived in Dhaka, and the atmosphere is thick with preparation and anticipation.

Bangladesh Cricket Team

The focus for the upcoming clashes remains firmly locked on finding the right team combinations, assessing the pitch conditions at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, and ensuring precise execution on the field. While Pakistan is looking to secure vital points to bolster their WTC standings, Bangladesh is determined to maximize their home-ground advantage.

Meet Ashiqur Rahman Majumder: The New Fielding Coach

In a move designed to sharpen the team’s defensive capabilities, the BCB has appointed Ashiqur Rahman Majumder as the fielding coach. This appointment comes at a critical juncture, serving as a late-stage preparation tweak while the squad finalizes its game plan. Majumder steps into this role to cover for the regular fielding coach, James Pamment, who is currently unavailable for this assignment.

Majumder brings a wealth of domestic experience to the table. His recent tenure with the Dhaka Capitals during the BPL 2026—where he served as an assistant coach—has earned him praise for his hands-on approach. His intimate knowledge of local conditions and the domestic circuit is expected to provide a fresh perspective to the national side, specifically in the high-pressure environment of Test cricket.

Riding the Momentum: Recent Form and Confidence

Bangladesh enters this Test series on the back of a productive stretch of cricket. Their recent white-ball home series against New Zealand saw the Tigers secure a 2-1 victory in the ODIs and a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the T20Is. This recent success, combined with their previous ODI series victory over Pakistan, provides the squad with a significant psychological edge.

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Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is leading a team that is eager to bridge the gap between their white-ball proficiency and red-ball consistency. The players are well aware that the Test arena demands a different level of temperament, and they are looking to build on the lessons learned during their last WTC outing against Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw.

Chasing WTC Glory: The Path Ahead

Currently sitting eighth in the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle with four points from two matches, Bangladesh knows that every point is precious. The inclusion of exciting talents like Amite Hasan—who boasts an impressive first-class average of 49.32—alongside the rapidly evolving Tanzid Hasan, shows that the selectors are committed to blending youth with experience.

The team is drawing inspiration from their historic performances in 2024, where they managed to secure consecutive Test victories against Pakistan. Replicating such a feat would not only be a massive boost for their WTC standings but would also serve as a resounding statement to the cricketing world that Bangladesh is a force to be reckoned with in the longest format of the game.

As the countdown to May 8 continues, the addition of Ashiqur Rahman Majumder is a clear indication that the BCB is leaving no stone unturned in their quest for domestic dominance. The fans in Dhaka are eagerly waiting to see if this fresh tactical approach will pay off on the field.

Julian Anand

Julian Anand is a senior cricket writer at ESPNcricinfo, known for his lyrical prose and deep-dive longform features on the sport’s unsung heroes. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, he began his career covering Delhi’s club and university circuits before joining the global cricket desk. Julian has a rare ability to humanise the game—whether chronicling a young pacer from the Maidan or revisiting a forgotten Test classic. He is especially respected for his technical breakdowns of fast bowling and his archival research into cricket history. His work has been recognised with the SJA British Sports Journalism Award and multiple internal honours at Cricinfo. When not at the press box, Julian mentors young sports writers and plays occasional league cricket as a medium-pacer.