Former Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mahmud finally decided not to continue as the assistant coach of the national side despite the Bangladesh Cricket Board trying hard to retain his services.
Mahmud quit the post earlier this month citing lack of specific job after Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed two Englishmen Ian Pont and Julien Fountain respectively as the bowling and fielding coach of the national side.
Head coach Jamie Siddons wanted Mamhud to continue as he felt the need for someone in his coaching staff, who can help the players communicate properly with the overseas coaches.
The BCB officials held several meeting with Mahmud and refused to accept his resignation letter. Mamhud took few days to rethink and finally conveyed his decision to chief executive officer Manzur Ahmed on Thursday.
‘It was a very tough call for me,’ Mahmud told New Age.
‘I had to think a lot and speak to my family before making my final decision. It’s nothing against the BCB, rather a career choice,’ said Mahmud, who will now take charge of Dhaka Premier League outfit Abahani.
The BCB has accepted his decision and wished him good luck for the rest of his career.
‘If anybody does not wish to continue we cannot force him,’ said Enayet Hossain Siraj, chairman of cricket operations committee.
‘We will talk to Jamie about his replacement and if he does not have any problem we may engage one of our academy coaches in his role,’ Siraj added.
