Newly-appointed Bangladesh national team coach Stuart Law is not quite an unknown figure to the players as some of them already have the experience of playing against him.
Law, currently working as the interim coach of Sri Lanka, was named as the new head coach of the Tigers on Monday, replacing compatriot Jamie Siddons.
The announcement created ripples in the national team’s conditioning camp in Cox’s Bazar, where they are undergoing rigorous fitness training under Law.
‘Oh yes, many of us know Law,’ said an excited all-rounder Naeem Islam when he was contacted over phone from Dhaka.
‘When we were in England playing for the A team he played for MCC against us. Tamim, Sakib and me played against him,’ said Naeem.
Top-order batsman Shahriar Nafees and discarded wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh even have the experience of facing Law in competitive cricket in the rebel Indian Cricket League.
Shahriar, who played for Dhaka Warriors in the ICL, played a game against Law, who was representing Chennai Superstars in the league.
‘He may not be a very prominent figure in international cricket but he has a substantial track record in the domestic circuit,’ said Shahriar.
‘It only suggests his good ability in cricket,’ said the southpaw.
‘He will be a fighter and I am eagerly waiting to start our new journey with him,’ he said.
Abdur Razzak, the experienced left-arm spinner, had a chance to meet the Australian while he came to Dhaka with the Sri Lanka team.
‘I saw him once when he came to Dhaka with the Sri Lanka team. However, we did not talk much other than exchanging greetings,’ he said.
‘He had played cricket at the highest level, so he knows what is needed to be successful. I am sure he will try everything possible to take us to the next level,’ he said.
Not every cricketer, however, is familiar with Law, a member of Australia’s 1996 World Cup team, who played a Test and 54 one-day-internationals.
Imrul Kayes is the one, who admitted he has got very little idea about the new coach. Kayes improved his game heavily under the previous coach, Jamie Siddons, and is expecting the same sort of assistance from Law if not better.
‘Though I don’t know much about him, I am sure he would likely want to see a great commitment in us and encourage us to work hard,’ he said.
‘I am ready to give everything as I can to fulfil his demand,’ said Kayes, who missed a century against Law’s countrymen in Bangladesh’s last international match.
-With New Age input
