ISLAMABAD:Ottis Gibson won’t be renewing his contract as Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach, as the Barbadian cricketer was set to join the Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Multan Sultans from the start of their campaign on January 27.
“Ottis Gibson, who completed his two-year contract with the BCB this month, didn’t want to renew his contract which we accepted,” ESPNcricinfo quoted BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee Chairman Jalal Yunus as saying.
“Local coaches will look after the fast-bowling department temporarily. We hope to replace Gibson with another foreign coach shortly.”
Gibson, a former West Indies quick, joined the Bangladesh team in January 2020, replacing Charl Langeveldt. After initially working with some of the bowlers in Dhaka, he had to stay in touch with them only virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gibson’s time coincided with the Bangladesh team management wanting more involvement of fast bowlers in home conditions. He was also the only voice from the establishment to urge senior player Mashrafe Mortaza to retire from international cricket.
His best time with the side came during the New Zealand tour this month when the fast bowlers took 13 wickets in the Mount Maunganui Test to fashion a famous victory over the home side. Ebadot Hossain, who took 6 for 46 in the second innings, is one of the quicks who has benefited from Gibson’s time as the bowling coach.
Yunus said the BCB has a couple of potential candidates in mind to replace Gibson but didn’t reveal the names. Bangladesh have opted for foreign fast-bowling coaches since Champaka Ramanayake in 2009, with the likes of Ian Pont, Shane Jurgensen, Heath Streak, Courtney Walsh and Langeveldt working with the senior team before Gibson.
Meanwhile, the HBL PSL 7 was scheduled to kick off on January 27, with the final to take place on February 27. Karachi would host 15 matches at National Stadium while Lahore will host 19, with the finals to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.