Tamim Iqbal’s recent remarks on the readiness of local coaches for the head coach role in the Bangladesh cricket team have sparked discussion. In a recent interview, the former Bangladesh captain clarified his stance, emphasizing the potential of domestic coaches while praising Sohel Islam as the best in the country. Tamim also advocated for a coaching staff structure with a 70:30 ratio of local to foreign coaches.

In an interview with the Indian sports magazine Sportstar, Tamim explained that while local coaches are not currently ready to take on the role of head coach, many are well-suited to serve as assistant coaches. He added that with a few years of experience, some of these local coaches could eventually become strong contenders for the head coach position.

“I don’t believe anyone in Bangladesh is currently capable of becoming the head coach. At the moment, there are two or three who are capable of becoming assistant coaches, but I don’t think they are suited for the head coach role,” Tamim said. “But I also mentioned that we have 3-4 coaches who are qualified to work as assistant coaches. It’s like when we have a player who is being groomed for captaincy – we give them more time to grow. Similarly, I believe our local coaches need 1-2 more years of experience before they can be ready for the head coach role. My point was that while no one is ready right now, in 2-3 years, they can be,” he explained.

Tamim stressed the importance of a balanced coaching setup for the national team, suggesting a mix of local and foreign coaches. “It’s hard to say whether being a head coach is too challenging for local coaches. But I do know that we should have a balanced coaching staff. There should be a 70:30 ratio in Bangladesh’s coaching staff, where you have an overseas head coach and perhaps two foreign coaches, while the remaining 70 per cent of the assistant coaches should be from Bangladesh. This approach would help groom local coaches so that, one day, they can step up as head coach.”

During the discussion, Tamim singled out Sohel Islam, currently the head coach of Bangladesh Tigers, as the best coach in Bangladesh. He acknowledged the immense contribution of Sohel and Mizanur Rahman Babul to the development of Bangladesh’s cricket talent, highlighting their long-standing commitment to working with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

“I had the opportunity to work with Sohel Bhai, and in my opinion, he’s the most improved coach in the last 10 years. He’s currently the best coach in the country,” Tamim said. “Both Sohel Bhai and Babul Bhai have worked with the BCB for a long time. They’ve had opportunities to work elsewhere, but they chose to stay and contribute to Bangladesh cricket. I believe we should value their dedication and give them the recognition they deserve.”

Tamim went on to emphasize the importance of the Bangladesh Tigers program under Sohel Islam’s leadership. According to him, this role is even more crucial than the national team’s head coach because of its impact on player development. “Sohel Bhai is in one of the most important roles in Bangladesh cricket right now. He’s responsible for preparing the players who eventually make it to the national team. The Tigers are in good hands, and about 60-70% of our players train under him because he has earned their trust.”

Tamim’s remarks come at a time when the conversation around local coaches in Bangladesh is gaining momentum. While he acknowledges that local coaches have some growing to do before taking on the head coach role, his strong endorsement of figures like Sohel Islam highlights the bright future of coaching in Bangladesh cricket.