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Local coaches to look after Bangladesh’s pace department temporarily
Ottis Gibson has decided not to renew his contract as Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach. The 52-year old, who completed his two-year contract with the BCB this month, is set to join the Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Multan Sultans from the start of their campaign on January 27.
“Ottis Gibson didn’t want to renew his contract which we accepted,” Jalal Yunus, BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman, told ESPNcricinfo. “Local coaches will look after the fast-bowling department temporarily. We hope to replace Gibson with another foreign coach shortly.”
Gibson joined the Bangladesh team in January 2020, replacing Charl Langeveldt. After initially working with some of the bowlers in Dhaka, he had to stay in touch with them only virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gibson’s time coincided with the Bangladesh team management wanting more involvement of fast bowlers in home conditions. He was also the only voice from the establishment to urge senior player Mashrafe Mortaza to retire from international cricket.
His best time with the side came during the New Zealand tour this month when the fast bowlers took 13 wickets in the Mount Maunganui Test to fashion a famous victory over the home side. Ebadot Hossain, who took 6 for 46 in the second innings, is one of the quicks who has benefited from Gibson’s time as the bowling coach.
Yunus said the BCB has a couple of potential candidates in mind to replace Gibson but didn’t reveal the names. Bangladesh have opted for foreign fast-bowling coaches since Champaka Ramanayake in 2009, with the likes of Ian Pont, Shane Jurgensen, Heath Streak, Courtney Walsh and Langeveldt working with the senior team before Gibson.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
This article was originally published by Espncricinfo.com. Read the original article here.