Kirsten to help BCB pick new head coach

As the Bangladesh team consultant, Gary Kirsten's first order of business will be to help the BCB finalise on a head coach. BCB president Nazmul Hassan said on Monday that Kirsten is looking at the three candidates shortlisted by the board, to determine who would be the perfect fit.

Hassan said that Kirsten, who has already started work for the BCB, is expected to arrive in Dhaka next week, depending on whether Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify for the IPL playoffs or not. Kirsten is RCB's batting coach and they will play their last league game on Saturday.

"[Kirsten] is making his observations about what kind of coach Bangladesh needs," Hassan said. "He is speaking to me, the players and the coaching staff. We will match our list of coaches with his, after which we will finalise everything. It will be easier for us.

"We felt that it is best to consult with an expert before deciding on a coach. You will get to know something important by this month. Kirsten wants to know what type of coach we are seeking. He has already started working for us."

Hassan said that the new coach's first assignment is likely to be the West Indies tour starting next month, as it is all but confirmed that Courtney Walsh will continue as the interim head coach for the three T20s against Afghanistan. "It is impossible to have a head coach before the Afghanistan series," Hassan said. "But we are hopeful that we will have appointed someone before the West Indies series.

"We nearly finalised someone but in the last minute he said that his family wasn't agreeing with the move. So we cannot say anything until someone is here."

Bangladesh have been without a permanent head coach since Chandika Hathurusingha's departure in November last year. They have already been refused by Andy Flower, Tom Moody, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Geoff Marsh and Paul Farbrace, and they have interviewed Richard Pybus and Phil Simmons who have already been employed by West Indies and Afghanistan, respectively.