In a bid to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup in India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reappointed Sridharan Sriram as the technical consultant for the national cricket team. This move comes as a strategic decision by the BCB, aiming to use Sriram’s expertise ahead of the marquee tournament, scheduled to kick off on October 5.
Khaled Mahmud, the team director of the Bangladesh squad for the forthcoming World Cup, confirmed the appointment and said that Sriram has been appointed as technical consultant.
“Yes, we have appointed him (Sriram) as a technical consultant for the forthcoming World Cup,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz. This decision comes as part of the BCB’s ongoing efforts to fine-tune their coaching staff for better performance.
Sriram’s association with Bangladesh cricket isn’t new. The BCB had earlier appointed him as a technical consultant ahead of the T20 World Cup last year. However, it was during this time that the board decided to implement a split coaching system, entrusting the responsibilities for Tests and ODIs to Russell Domingo. Unfortunately, Domingo later resigned from his post.
Following Domingo’s departure, Chandika Hathurusingha took over as the head coach across formats, marking the end of Sriram’s first stint with Bangladesh cricket. However, his return as a technical consultant for the ICC World Cup signifies the board’s renewed faith in him.
Shakib Al Hasan, the primer mover behind this decision
One of the main factors behind Sriram’s reappointment is the support and admiration he has garnered from Bangladesh’s all-format skipper, Shakib Al Hasan. During the T20 World Cup, Shakib consistently backed Sriram, and this support played a pivotal role in the success of Najmul Hossain.
Sriram’s unwavering belief in Hossain helped him emerge as the highest scorer for Bangladesh in the event, solidifying his place in the national team. With his return as the team’s technical consultant, all eyes will be on Bangladesh as they aim to make their mark on the global stage.