He takes over the role from Ottis Gibson, who decided to not renew his contract in January this year
Donald will be linking up with his former team-mate Russell Domingo, who is currently the head coach of the Bangladesh team. Donald was also the bowling coach under Domingo for South Africa in 2013. This will be his first international coaching role since his tenure as Sri Lanka’s bowling consultant during the Champions Trophy in 2017. His first assignment with the Bangladesh team will be their tour of South Africa later this month, where they will play three ODIs and two Tests, starting March 18.
“Donald has worked with plenty of teams in the past,” BCB’s cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus said. “He was South Africa’s fast bowling coach. He is regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in the world, counted among the likes of Sir Richard Hadlee, Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath. I am sure he will inspire our fast bowlers.”
Donald has been working as the head coach of the Knights, the South African domestic side, since 2020. Before the Sri Lanka stint five years ago, Donald worked with the England men (2007), New Zealand men (2010-11) and South Africa men (2013-15), apart from stints with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, Warwickshire and Kent in county cricket and Mountaineers in Zimbabwe domestic. He has also been a frequent commentator.
Donald is one of South Africa’s all-time greats, and was the country’s leading wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs when he retired from international cricket in 2003. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2019.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84