Bangladesh Set Coaching Roles Ahead of South Africa Cricket Tour
Bangladesh have reshaped several coaching responsibilities ahead of their upcoming cricket tour of South Africa, with assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa set to oversee the national side’s fielding unit. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the arrangement on Monday, while also announcing that former South African all-rounder Dale Benkenstein will work with the team as a batting specialist across all three formats.
The appointments come as Bangladesh prepare for a demanding schedule that includes two Test matches, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals. With the first Test approaching soon after the team’s arrival, the coaching group will have limited time to settle into its roles and prepare players for conditions that are often challenging for visiting sides.
Maketa to lead Bangladesh’s fielding work
Maketa, who recently joined Bangladesh’s coaching staff, will take responsibility for fielding during the South Africa tour. His new assignment transfers the role from interim fielding coach Ashiqur Rahman, who stepped into the national setup during Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan after James Pamment became unavailable because of back pain. The BCB and Pamment later ended their association by mutual agreement.
“Our assistant coach Maketa will oversee our fielding during the tour of South Africa,” a BCB official told Cricbuzz on Monday.
Ashiqur will now move to the Bangladesh A team, which is preparing for the Rising Stars Emerging Cup in Qatar. The switch gives him an opportunity to continue working within the national development pathway, while Maketa takes charge of a key area for the senior side during an important overseas assignment.
Fielding could be especially significant in South Africa, where fast, bouncy pitches and quick outfields can place extra demands on players. Strong catching, clean ground fielding and accurate throwing may help Bangladesh limit opposition scoring and create pressure during long Test innings as well as shorter white-ball contests. For supporters following the tour, fielding will be one of the areas to watch alongside Bangladesh’s bowling plans and top-order performance.
Benkenstein joins as batting specialist
Benkenstein is set to join Bangladesh as a batting specialist and will work with the squad throughout the Test, ODI and T20I portions of the tour. The BCB confirmed his appointment in a release, although the board has not yet announced a permanent batting coach for the national team.
Benkenstein’s experience in South African cricket could prove useful as Bangladesh prepare to face familiar local conditions. Batters visiting the country often need to adjust quickly to pace, bounce and movement, particularly in the early stages of a Test match. Support with technique, shot selection and decision-making could help Bangladesh’s players develop a clearer approach across formats.
The role also arrives at a time of change in the team’s batting support structure. Mohammad Ashraful has been removed from the national team’s batting coach position, and the BCB has decided to include him in the Bangladesh A coaching setup. Meanwhile, the board is understood to be looking for a permanent batting coach ahead of the South Africa series.
Salahuddin returns to the High Performance Unit
Mohammad Salahuddin, who replaced Ashraful for Bangladesh’s recent home series against the West Indies, is set to return to the High Performance Unit as its head coach. He held the role before joining the senior national team on an interim basis.
His return is expected to allow him to focus on developing players in the High Performance Unit, a programme designed to prepare emerging cricketers for the demands of international cricket. That work is important for Bangladesh’s longer-term planning, particularly as the board seeks to strengthen the pipeline feeding the national side.
The coaching changes therefore serve two purposes: they provide the senior team with specialist support for the South Africa tour while also redistributing coaches across the wider development structure. The BCB will still need to resolve the permanent batting-coach vacancy, but Benkenstein’s appointment offers the squad an experienced specialist for the immediate assignment.
South Africa itinerary and key challenges
Bangladesh are scheduled to depart for South Africa on November 10 and 11. The opening Test is due to begin in Johannesburg on November 15, with the second match scheduled for Centurion from November 23. The tour will then continue with three ODIs and three T20Is.
The short gap between arrival and the first Test means preparation will be crucial. Bangladesh’s players will need to adapt rapidly to local conditions, while the coaching staff must help them establish clear plans for each format. The Test matches are likely to test patience and technique over extended periods, whereas the ODI and T20I fixtures will demand quicker adjustments in tempo and tactics.
For fans and analysts considering a cricket prediction for the series, the coaching appointments are an important part of the picture, but they are not the only factor. Bangladesh’s ability to handle South African pace, build partnerships and take catches consistently could all influence the outcome. Benkenstein’s batting guidance and Maketa’s fielding oversight may help, though the team’s results will ultimately depend on how effectively players translate preparation into performance.
Bangladesh’s South Africa tour will offer a demanding test of the squad’s adaptability and depth. With Maketa leading the fielding work, Benkenstein providing batting support and Salahuddin returning to the High Performance Unit, the BCB has outlined a revised coaching structure for the weeks ahead. Attention will now turn to the team’s preparations—and to whether the final coaching appointment is made before the first Test begins.
