Englishman Richard Pybus finally agreed to join as the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team after the Bangladesh Cricket Board revised his financial offer, said the officials on Wednesday.
Pybus’ consent came about an hour after mid-day on Wednesday, ending a long wait for the BCB, who were looking for it since his visit to Bangladesh earlier this month.
The BCB had offered Pybus a little over $16,000 per month excluding taxes, but the coach was asking for more, close to $20,000, which had created a kind of stalemate in the negotiations.
With the other contender for the job Mick Newell pulling out of the race and the BCB’s lack of enthusiasm about Mark Greatbach and Kepler Wessels made Pybus an obvious choice.
‘It’s a win-win situation for us,’ said Jalal Yunus, the official spokesman for the BCB. ‘We are happy to get his confirmation and I am sure Richard is also feeling the same way.’
Pybus will replace Australian Stuart Law, who stepped down in April citing family reasons after nine months in charge.
The BCB had initially said Pybus will be given a two-year contract with an option of further extension up to the World Cup in 2015.
‘The 47-year-old England-born coach has agreed a two-year deal with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and is expected to join the Tigers ahead of their tour of Zimbabwe for the Tri-Nation T20 tournament next month,’ said a BCB statement.
Pybus, born and raised in England, is currently settled in Cape Town, South Africa, where he had been in charge of Cape Cobras until March this year.
His coaching experience includes a stint with Titans between 1999 and 2001, while he also coached English county side Middlesex in 2003.
An illustrious coach, Pybus, however, had a very insignificant playing career, which was cut short by injury. He played only one List A match in which he scored four runs and could not take any wicket.
Pybus, the only foreign coach to have been appointed by Bangladesh without any experience of international cricket, said he is excited about the new challenge.
‘I am delighted at the opportunity of coaching Bangladesh. I am looking forward to getting busy with the boys,’ the BCB statement quoted him as saying.
‘We have an active schedule ahead of us and for me the next few months will be about building relationships with the players and the coaching staff and ensuring that the progress made up to the Asia Cup continues.’
-With New Age input
