Former Pakistani coach Richard Pybus is almost certain to replace Australian Stuart Law as the head coach of the Bangladesh national team after he was satisfied with
the available facilities and a fruitful discussion with the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday.
The Englishman arrived in the capital on Thursday evening to hold talks with the BCB officials and to see for himself the living conditions, cricket structure and all
the facilities provided by the Board before making a final decision on taking up the job.
It seemed that Pybus was happy with all he had seen so far and would accept the offer to take charge of the Tigers only after discussing with his family.
The BCB made a shortlist of candidates for the post that fell vacant after the resignation of Law, who ended his nine-month stint with the Tigers last month, citing
family reasons.
‘It is nothing official nor is it an interview. This is actually a fact-finding mission on my behalf. I want to see it through my own eyes and understand,’ Pybus told
reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
‘I am here to meet the BCB president, the supporting staff and the guys in charge of Bangladesh cricket. I want to make an informed decision and find out whether I can
make a valid contribution,’ said Pybus.
‘It is a wonderful, world-class stadium (SBNS). It is nice to be here and nice to be in a country where the passion for cricket is incredible.
‘Hopefully, I can come up with a positive result,’ said Pybus, who had a successful spell with the South African domestic side Cape Cobras, winning three titles in
two years before he resigned his post in March.
Pybus, who has the experience of coaching Pakistan twice, from 1999-2001 and in 2003, said the main reason for him to give a thought about Bangladesh was the presence
of hugely talented players in this country that he felt would be thrilling to work with.
‘There are a lot of raw talents, and they have started to play some good cricket, build on the work done by Stuart [Law] and the support staff on the progress of the
boys,’ Pybus said.
‘There’s never a shortage of hunger here. There are always challenges, but it is about making a valid contribution. Those are the important things,’ he said.
Pybus, who also coached South Africa’s Titans, Border, Cape Cobras and England’s Middlesex, said that former Bangladesh coach late Eddie Barlow also had informed him
about the culture and the people of this country.
‘Eddie Barlow was a friend of mine in South Africa, and before he passed away, he spoke very highly about Bangladesh cricket. I spoke to his wife Cally last week and
she only had good things to say about the people in Bangladesh.’ said Pybus, who came to the SBNS along with Bangladesh national team’s fielding coach Jason Swift and
trainer Grant Luden.
Other than Pybus, Nottinghamshire coach Mick Newell and former New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch are also on the shortlist of coaches.
Meanwhile, BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal said the board will be happy to appoint him as the head coach for three years, if he agrees.
‘We would like to appoint him as our next coach if he agrees,’ Kamal told reporters.
‘We want a coach for a long term and someone of his reputation would certainly meet our expectation. We are waiting for a positive reply from him,’ Kamal added.
It was learnt that Pybus would talk to the national captain Mushfiqur Rahim and vice-captain Mahmudullah on Friday evening and would have a dinner with the board
officials.
He is expected to leave Bangladesh today.
-With New Age input
