The Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed the appointment of Malibongwe Maketa as assistant coach of the men’s national team, effective from 2 October. The 46‑year‑old South African will hold the role until November 2028, taking over the position left vacant by Mohammad Salahuddin.
Salahuddin remains with the BCB, having been assigned to lead the board’s High Performance Unit. Maketa, a Cricket South Africa Level 4 qualified coach, brings more than two decades of experience across a range of playing levels.
“I am pleased to accept the position of assistant coach with the Bangladesh national team. 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 said in a statement quoted by Cricbuzz.
What experience does Maketa bring to the Bangladesh coaching group?
Maketa’s coaching career spans several tiers of South African cricket. He has served as head coach for South Africa A, South Africa U19, the National Academy and the Warriors franchise, gaining extensive exposure across age‑group and senior structures. He led South Africa to the semi‑finals of the ICC U19 World Cup and guided the South Africa Emerging side to the Division 2 title at the CSA One‑Day Cup in the 2023‑24 season. Between 2017 and 2019, he was part of the senior national coaching set‑up, which included the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and saw Test series victories over Australia and India, as well as bilateral series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
“We have a young and exciting team, and I am looking forward to working alongside Phil [Simmons] and the rest of the coaching staff to help bring out the best in the players and support their continued development. Thank you once again for the opportunity. I am excited to begin this journey and contribute to the Bangladesh National Team,” Maketa added.
Where will Maketa begin his duties and what fixtures await Bangladesh?
Maketa will join the Bangladesh squad in the United Arab Emirates, where the team has a packed schedule. Bangladesh are set to play a one‑off Test against Afghanistan, followed by a three‑nation ODI series that also features Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The back‑to‑back assignments mean Maketa will enter an active international programme immediately, complementing head coach Phil Simmons’ existing staff ahead of the UAE tour.
