Bangladesh national cricket team will see end of an era today as long-serving physiotherapist Vibhav Singh departs after more than three years at the helm.
The South African physio tendered his resignation before the West Indies tour to be with his newly wedded wife after a successful stint when helped several players overcome career-threatening injury.
Vibhav’s bondage with the Tigers can be explained in plain terms with an example when three senior players met Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan on July 7, 2013 requesting him to extend the tenure of the South African.
‘There are so many memories with each player of the national team, honestly speaking, it will be something that I will miss,’ he said.
Vibhav joined the BCB in July 2011 prior to a tour in Zimbabwe when Australian Stuart Law was coach of the Tigers. He remained as integral part of the team during the tenure of Richard Pybus and Shane Jurgensen.
The BCB brought a wholesale change to the Tigers backroom staff when Jurgensen left in April, but Vibhav was still a part of BCB’s plan before he abruptly resigned.
Vibhav said he will carry some inspiring stories that will help him in future
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim seemed to have left a long-lasting influence on him with his mental toughness that he had witness during the journey.
‘Mentally he [Mushfiqur Rahim] is the strongest cricketer in the national team’s dressing room,’ said Vibhav.
‘We had to work with him for 45 minutes before leaving the hotel during the last Asia Cup when he decided to play despite injuring his shoulder.
‘It was an example of his mental strength as there would not be many players to even dream of making him available after sustaining these kinds of injuries,’ he said.
‘There are a lot of other things that happened behind the scene that did not come in front of the media but honestly it will be very hard to find an equally committed cricketer like him,’ he added.
Opener Tamim Iqbal had also been able to draw his praise after the West Indies tour as he felt the southpaw had come of age.
‘I was very scared with Tamim after his yorker incident,’ said Vibhav, referring to a delivery of young pacer Taskin Ahmed that struck the opener during a training session prior to the tour.
Tamim completed the tour without any serious complaint which Vibhav said was impressive. ‘Compared with his past track record filled with lot of niggles I am really impressed,’ he said.
Vibhav said he was moved by the farewell he received after the last Test match in St Lucia.
‘It took me a while to get back my composure after the last Test,’ he said. ‘When everyone reminded me of my destination and thanked me it was quite difficult to remain normal, free from emotions.’
-With New Age input
