Allan Donald to step down as Bangladesh bowling coach after ODI World Cup

Allan Donald. (Photo source: Twitter)

Allan Donald, the former South Africa pace sensation, is gearing up to bid adieu to his role as Bangladesh’s pace bowling coach post their showdown against Australia on November 11. The cricket luminary shared his decision with the squad in a huddle in Pune, making this a noteworthy conclusion to his impactful stint that commenced in March 2022 with the T20 World Cup as the pinnacle pursuit.

After the team’s pace arsenal made commendable strides, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to extend Allan Donald’s contract until the ongoing ICC World Cup. However, a twist unfolded on November 8, as the BCB announced its intention to seek clarification from Donald. This move comes in the aftermath of Donald’s critique of skipper Shakib Al Hasan for his ‘timed out’ dismissal appeal against Angelo Mathews in the clash against Sri Lanka on November 6 in Delhi.

“Yes, he (Donald) informed us that he will not carry on with us after this World Cup during the team meeting,” the official said on conditions of anonymity on Thursday, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Speaking exclusively to CricBlog, Donaldexpressed his views on the time-out incident: “My immediate reaction when that happened, and this is just my instincts would have taken over, was that I almost actually thought of going on the field and saying, ‘Enough’s enough, we do not stand for this. We are not that kind of team who stand for this.’ That was my immediate thought.”

That’s all ok with me if BCB seek an explanation: Allan Donald

When questioned about the matter, the 57-year-old seemed unperturbed. He revealed that he is unfazed by the prospect of providing an explanation to the BCB. Emphasising the point, he reiterated that whatever clarification the BCB seeks, he has already conveyed through his previous interview regarding the Shakib and Mathews incident.

“That’s all ok with me if they (BCB) seek an explanation. As far as I am concerned the explanation was in the news today!,” Donald told Cricbuzz adding that he is not interested to carry on with the Bangladesh national cricket team after the ongoing ICC World Cup.”