In a strategic move to bolster its technical support staff, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially recruited South African strategist Malibongwe Maketa to serve as the national men’s team assistant coach. Maketa steps into this role following the departure of Mohammad Salahuddin, who transitioned to lead the BCB’s High Performance Unit. The board has finalized a long-term agreement with the 46-year-old, securing his expertise through a contract spanning from October 2026 to November 2028.
Immediate Responsibilities and Career Background
Maketa is scheduled to integrate with the Bangladesh squad while they are stationed in the UAE. His primary focus upon joining will be preparations for the upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan, which will be followed by a competitive ODI tri-series featuring both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. As a Cricket South Africa (CSA) Level 4-qualified professional, Maketa arrives with over twenty years of coaching experience across the domestic and international spectrums, including significant contributions to high-performance setups.
Previous Coaching Milestones
- Served as assistant coach for the South Africa senior men’s team between 2017 and 2019, covering the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
- Coached teams during landmark Test series victories against prominent opponents like Australia and India, along with bilateral wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
- Directed developmental squads including South Africa A and South Africa U19, focusing heavily on player readiness for the global stage.
- Held head coaching tenures at the Warriors franchise and within the National Academy structure.
- Led the South Africa Emerging side to a CSA One-Day Cup Division 2 championship during the 2023-24 season and managed the South Africa U19 team to an ICC World Cup semi-final appearance.
Expressing his enthusiasm regarding the appointment, Maketa emphasized his gratitude for the opportunity provided by the BCB. He highlighted his intention to collaborate closely with Phil Simmons and the existing technical staff to foster player development. He noted that the squad possesses an exciting blend of young talent and expressed his eagerness to begin his tenure, aiming to translate his vast experience in franchise and provincial cricket into tangible success for the Bangladesh national team. According to i am truly grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and I look forward to contributing positively to the team’s success,”, Maketa in a statement. Thank you once again for the opportunity.
