Bangladesh zeroing on Gary Kirsten for consultant's role

The BCB is awaiting final confirmation from former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten on his availability to work with Bangladesh as a consultant. He is expected to get in touch with the BCB over the same after the IPL, which ends on May 27. BCB director Jalal Yunus said that although the two parties haven't made the deal "full and final", Kirsten is likely to take up a long-term role with Bangladesh.

"Our president had earlier mentioned Gary Kirsten," Yunus said. "We are awaiting his response after the IPL. He is being considered as the team consultant, although we haven't finalised anything with him. We are waiting on him to do a final agreement with us after IPL. Let's see how it goes.

"He will work not only with the men's senior team, he will work with the Under-19s, Bangladesh A team and the rest of the structure. He will be with us as a full-time, long-term consultant. If he agrees, we will hold talks here."

Yunus said that Kirsten's role will be similar to that of the late Eddie Barlow, who was appointed in August 1999 as head coach and director of development. However, this time, the BCB will appoint a separate head coach.

"Head coach is a must," Yunus said. "Gary Kirsten won't be in the field all the time. He will give us ideas about the infrastructure. He will have an advisory role. There will definitely be a head coach and other coaching staff."

He added that Kirsten will also continue in his other coaching roles in the Big Bash and the IPL. "He will be here on assignment. If he is busy with other assignments, we won't be able to stop him."

Kirsten comes with experience in coaching two internationals teams; he is one of the few coaches to have taken two teams to the top of the ICC Test ranking - India in 2009 and South Africa in 2012.

Meanwhile, the BCB is also looking for a batting consultant and fielding coach. "We wanted Neil McKenzie as our batting consultant but that hasn't worked out," Yunus said. "He remains under consideration but, at the same time, we are also looking elsewhere. We also need a fielding coach for which we are looking for a foreign recruit."