New coach for Tigers in Asia Cup, T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Sridharan Sriram, a former India cricketer and a long-term assistant coach of Australia, as a coach of the Bangladesh national team in the forthcoming Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.

"Yes, we have chosen Sriram up until the World Cup," a BCB director told The Daily Star today on condition of anonymity.  

"As we are moving forward with a fresh mindset, the new coach will be seen from the Asia Cup onwards. And since the T20 World Cup is our main target, he [a new coach] will not get time to adapt if he is not recruited from the Asia Cup.

"Many may say that there is not much left for the Asia Cup. However, as I said, our main focus is the T20 World Cup," he added.

The BCB president, Nazmul Hassan Papon, yesterday hinted at making 'drastic changes' leading into the two upcoming mega events, both featuring T20Is. And with the appointment of the new coach, Russell Domingo, who arrived in the country today, is set to turn all of his attention to red-ball cricket.   

"Domingo would continue his role in guiding the Test team, for now, as we have a Test match against India in November ," the BCB director further said, while adding the BCB will sit with Domingo to discuss the South African's future.   

Sriram had featured in eight ODIs for the India national side in between 2000-2004. His last international match was against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka in 2004. The Tigers tasted their first ODI win against India that day. Chasing a target of 230 runs, Sriram's 91-ball 57 went in vain as India lost by 15 runs.

The 46-year-old has worked with the Australia national team for six years since 2016 and has also been involved in the coaching staff of Royal Challengers Bangalore -- an Indian Premier League (IPL) team.