Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has finally succeeded in convincing the South Africa legend Gary Kirsten to work as a short-term consultant with Bangladesh. BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury has informed on Monday (21 May) that Kirsten is undertaking an ‘internal audit’ of the national side.
With the signing, the World Cup-winning coach Kirsten will now complete an internal audit of the Tigers before recommending the name for the selection of a full-time head coach for the side.
Former India coach was originally offered the top role of the Bangladesh side but he refused to take up citing he has got other engagements, agreed to be available on a short-term basis.
Following Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) exit from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, RCB coach has landed to Dhaka on Sunday evening and met Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mashrafe Mortaza on Monday morning in three separate meetings.
The Proteas great will also meet the national coaching staff who are present in Dhaka, as well as, he will meet the national selectors and board directors connected to the senior side, and BCB chief Nazmul Hassan over the next 24 hours.
As per reports in Cricbuzz, Chowdhury said, “He [Kirsten] is working as our consultant for finding a coach. In order to do so, he is completing an internal audit. Earlier we proposed a long-term association until the next World Cup, and he initially agreed but later confirmed that he will only be available on a short-term basis as he has got other engagements.”
BCB CEO further added, “We are looking forward to the assessment report that he is expected to prepare for us after the internal audit. The most important thing is that he wants to work independently and we are just providing him with the logistic support. He is fixing the meetings himself and talking accordingly. He is putting his emphasis on making a road map to develop the team keeping in mind our future engagements like the ICC World Cup and ICC World Twenty20. He, in order to prepare that report, is talking with the concerned people.”
The Board has sent a list of probable candidates to Kirsten for the top role, and Bangladesh is hoping to appoint the replacement for Chandika Hathurusingha before the West Indies series starting from June.
Chowdhury signed off by saying, “We have sent him some names. We had some recommendations. He has spoken with the coaches who have been recommended by us and he is also talking to coaches of his choice. We hope to appoint the next head coach before the series against West Indies."
