BCCI yet to recommend names requested by ACF: Dalmiya

The BCCI is yet to respond to the request of Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) to recommend development officers for taking up coaching jobs in different Asian nations to promote the game in the continent.

The Chairman of the ACF, Jagmohan Dalmiya, told PTI in Kolkata on Sunday that ACF had sought names of three candidates each from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India with the former two already despatching the list.

The Screening Committee, he said, would meet on August 1 to choose one among the three names submitted by each of these nations to depute as coach to countries like Hong Kong, Nepal, Maldives, Singapore and Qatar where cricket is still in its nascent stage.

"Though Pakistan and Sri Lanka have submitted three names each, we are still awaiting a response from the BCCI. We will send them a reminder soon and if no response comes by July 30, the ACF will announce names from among the former players in its list," said Dalmiya. Dalmiya, however, expressed the hope that the BCCI would send the names soon.

While Pakistan has sent a list comprising former skippers Mushtaq Mohammed and Zaheer Abbas and medium pacer Iqbal Sikander, Sri Lanka recommended classic batsman Roy Dias, former pacer Rumesh Ratnayeke and wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon Kuruppu.

Asked why the ACF did not send a similar despatch to Bangladesh, Dalmiya quipped Bangladesh itself needed a development officer. "But I hope within two or three years Bangladesh can send coaches."

He also said Sri Lanka Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella, accompanied by former medium pacer Asantha De Mel, would visit India on July 22 to discuss the development of the game.