New head coach by Feb 20, says BCB President

Bangladesh Men’s National Cricket Team will have their new head coach by February 20 ahead of the England series, Bangladesh Cricket Board president confirmed on Monday.

Russell Domingo, who was appointed the head coach for Bangladesh in September 2019, left his post following the India series at the end of 2022.

Since then, BCB has been searching for his replacement but has yet to be successful, and with the England series, set to start on March 1, fast approaching, they need to appoint a coach quickly.

BCB President Nazmul Hassan said in Sylhet on Monday that the new coach would be announced by February 20.

“A new coach will come by February 20. There is no doubt about that. There is a short list, there are options. We will get someone by then,” he told the media.

There have been rumours that Chandika Hathurusingha, who was the Bangladesh coach from 2014 to 2017, would return to his old role.

Nazmul refused to disclose any names, “A coach will come. Hathurusingha or any other coach has not said anything. I did not break any news. You will see a new coach before the England series. I won’t say who will come.”

BCB is yet to clarify whether they will bring in a coach for all three formats or for Tests and One-Day Internationals.

In the last months of Domingo’s reign, he only looked after the Test and ODI side, with Sridharan Sriram taking over the T20 side for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.

BCB is reportedly willing to renew Sriram’s contract until 2024 but whether it will only be for T20s is yet unsure, as it is the case for the new coach also, who is supposed to arrive by the time the England series starts.

Bangladesh will play England in three ODIs and three T20Is in March, followed by a full tour of Ireland across the country.

The BCB President was in Sylhet not just for the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, but also to pick a location for a new academy in the city.

“We need an academy here (in Sylhet). We have seen three spots. We (BCB) have also liked one. We will follow the procedures from now on. If we can do it, it will help in both domestic and national circuit,” Nazmul said.