'Taskin can be express'

West Indies fast bowling legend and current Bangladesh bowling coach Courtney Walsh had a chat with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and spoke about the youngsters in the current Bangladesh set-up, the culture shock when he first arrived and about how he deals with the youngsters. Here are some excerpts from that interview.

On the reception he received after being appointed Bangladesh's bowling coach:

They [the youngsters] have been very good. The players and the coaching staff welcomed me with open arms. Everyone has been very helpful; I'm just trying to pass on the knowledge that I have. I want to help them wherever I can, and to have a chance to work with the Bangladesh team that's full of talent and has been tremendous. I'm enjoying it, because at the end it's the game that I will love till I'm alive.

On whether the players were overawed to see a legend like him:

I wouldn't say overawed is the right word. Everyone was just happy that I was a part of their set-up. Every now and then, some of the young cricketers would try and pick my brain, which was very good. For me, I just want to work with them to make sure they develop their cricket and we get better as a squad and as a unit.

I help everybody as much as I can but obviously I try and play a part in terms of fast bowling. I'm hoping we can find some fast bowlers -- we have some very talented ones and we want them to get them to where we want them to be in a couple of months.

On whether he jokes around or is a strict disciplinarian with the youngsters:

I'm strict, I joke around, I relax. I try to get as relaxed as I can because I think that's the best way of getting the best out of them. But if things are not going the way they're supposed to be going, then I will let them know. I do as much as I can to ensure they have got a disciplined approach to what needs to be done and stay focused on the job.

His biggest challenge after coming in:

CW: My biggest challenge, I think, has so far been the cultural stuff. In terms of making sure they understand what I'm saying. It's good that I identified the language barrier quickly. I get help from some of the guys who translate or speak to the young guys to let them know what's happening, so that there is a common understanding on what we're trying to do.

On bowling in pairs, like he did with Curtly Ambrose:

CW: Yes, that's the stand that I keep telling everybody -- that fast bowlers hunt in pairs. All good bowlers hunt in pairs. If you look at the history of cricket, there's Warne-McGrath, Holding-Roberts, Marshall-Garner, Lillee-Thomson, Akram-Younis... This is just to name a few. Every team had those types of bowlers who hunted in pairs.

It's something I speak to them about and we're working towards it. It doesn't have to be two fast bowlers -- two spinners would do too.

On whether he has identified a 'hunting pair' in Bangladesh:

There's a lot of talented cricketers around. Young Taskin [Ahmed] and Mehedi [Hasan] are there. Shafiul [Islam] and Rubel [Hossain] are still around. The captain [Mashrafe Mortaza] has obviously just retired from T20s but he's still a very good bowler. And young Mustafizur [Rahman].

If he and Taskin can build up a relationship in 10 years, work together in pairs as two seamers, and if Mehedi can come along and join them, it will be great. They know what they have to do and are working towards it and also building their own personal game.

On whether the next task for Bangladesh is to find an express fast bowler:

It is tough. It's not a small task but I think we have the ability -- Taskin is one such guy who has the potential and the possibility of doing that. It's just work in progress with him, we have to see how we can best develop him and his skills.