Outgoing national coach Stuart Law leaves the country today with happy memories after completing his nine-month stint with the Bangladesh national cricket team.
Law had taken over as the head coach of Bangladesh in July last year on a two-year contract, replacing compatriot Jamie Siddons, but stepped down from the position recently citing family reasons.
The resignation of Law will take effect on June 30 but he was given an early clearance as Bangladesh have no international commitments until that period following the cancellation of Pakistan tour.
‘I will take back a lot of things as this was my first appointment as an international head coach,’ Law told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
‘Learning how to deal with different players, different cultures. I would have loved to see the time out but in this short time, I have learned a lot,’ said Law.
Though Law started off on the wrong foot when Bangladesh were humiliated by Zimbabwe in his first series as the Tigers’ coach, he started to develop the team into a unit.
The high point of his career came when he guided the Tigers to the Asia Cup final which they lost to Pakistan by only two runs.
‘What we have seen in the last six months is a steady progression going forward. Players are starting to realise they can compete against top opposition. I see a lot of talent, just need a bit of discipline and direction. Once that happens, they start playing good cricket,’ said Law.
Law also had been pretty successful in gelling the team into a good unit without depending on the individual brilliance of Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.
Though the duo remained the most successful performers at the Asia Cup, other players also started to complement them that made the team look like a daring outfit in the showcase event.
‘You look for the standout players and those two have been carrying Bangladesh for a while. I told the rest of the team that it is not about two players. It’s about other people sticking their hand up and doing well,’ said Law.
‘Guys like Nasir Hossain comes through, he’s basically up there with Sakib and Tamim. It takes the pressure off those two as well, especially Sakib who plays a part in every game with his batting, bowling and fielding,’ he said.
The Australian was also impressed with the young players and believed that they can take the country’s cricket far ahead.
‘Young Bijoy (Anamul Haque) is a quality player. I’ve been trying to see Mominul Haque get into the team. He’s scored runs in the A team tours. We’ve been discussing him at lengths in selection meetings. He looked like a quality young player,’ said Law.
‘Raju (Abul Hossain)…I love him. Bowls quick, 140-plus, has the slower ball. But Bijoy for me, especially during the BPL, he looked like he was born to perform.
‘The one thing he said to me which I will never forget. I asked him where would you like to bat, he said, “I want to be No 3, I want to be the best player in the world”. If that comes across, good on you,’ Law pointed out.
Law, who happens to be a great admirer of Sakib, advised the all-rounder to give more importance to his fitness as he feels the former skipper needs to be physically stronger to take his game one step forward.
‘He’s professional on the field but off the field he’s different. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but he could be fitter. He’s admitted that he can work a bit harder on those aspects,’ the Australian said.
‘When he gets out in the cricket field, he creates something out of nothing. He’s a beautiful player to watch when he’s going great with the bat. I was probably in that boat as well, so I can understand. I didn’t like training, I liked playing,’ Law concluded.
-With New Age input
