We need to change our mindset about local coaches- Mahmud
Photo - Cricfrenzy
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh Cricket Board should start believing on the ability of the local coaches and give them opportunity at the highest level, said Bangladesh interim head coach Khaled Mahmud.
Mahmud, who had accepted the role on the interim basis at the request of the board where he is placed as a director did not hide his disappointment for not providing him the role of head coach for long term basis.
Mahmud earlier insisted he is willing to quit as BCB director to avoid conflict of interest if BCB opt to give the role of head coach for a long period of time to avoid conflict of interest that was alleged against him on his debut as a head coach during the tri-nation at home.
Mahmud, who took over the role after Chandika Hathurusingha resigned suddenly, quit from the post abruptly as he felt it was getting dirty [the conflict of interest allegation].
BCB had requested him to guide the team on a similar situation after they parted ways with Steve Rhodes after the end of the World Cup and though Mahmud he certainly seemed not happy about it.
“Akram bhai is cricket operation chairman of the board and he told me that I am assigned for the tour as the interim. I said, I can’t do it but they just wanted me for a short period,’’ Mahmud told reporters.
‘’It is tough to plan for a short period. This is crisis moment for the board and we are not finding anyone for coaching management and so I’m doing it for the sake of board and cricket and because I’m working for five years with the team,’’ he said.
‘’Helping the team is my responsibility. I was manager, it is different responsibility now because I work from the field and my profession is coaching. This is a matter of pleasure and challenging at the same time,’’ he said.
Mahmud added that he did not apply for the head coach post after BCB had put up an advertisement in the online with the deadline ending on July 18 and indicated he was reluctant knowing the mindset of the BCB high-ups.
‘’I did not apply on July 18. Board wants an overseas coach… actually we appoint foreign coach in every department. Board is not that confident on our locals. But I think I’m capable for the job. This is not a rocket science to guide a team. Usually you have to complete level 3-4, I completed level 3 in 2006/07. And its not like we were idle after doing that. We worked in the ground,’’ he said.
‘’Techniques are fixed in cricket. Everyone plays the square cuts in the same way. In swing or out swing, everyone do it in similar way. This is a fixed technique game. What is important is your planning that is what matter here and as I am from this country, played in these same grounds it will be easier for me to make plan,’’ he said.
‘’And this is why I understand their mindset. I think this a mental game. One person (coach) combines 11 individual person here, you need to create a spirit that can win a match. I think I can do that. When a new coach arrives, he takes time to understand the team, players and that kills a lot time I won’t need that time,’’ he said.
‘’I am already familiar with the junior team players. So if I have to pick from outside the national team, that will also be a plus point for me. I worked with BPL teams for last 5-6 years as head coach. So now I have enough coaching experience. I worked with different coaches, I have seen them working, I saw what they wanted to do, I know how to handle a team. I started playing since I was 13. It totally depends on your will. How passionate you are about it. I think I’m so much passionate about it,’’ he said.
When asked whether he insist promoting local coach during the BCB meeting, Mahmud insisted he did that more than once but it went into the deaf ears.
‘’I do that [insisting to promote local coaches]. I have that right to give my opinion. I always give my opinion. But I am no one to take the decision. The decision will be taken with everyone’s opinion. And we have a panel for selecting a coach. They might think too. Until they are confident about it, it will be difficult,’’ he said.
‘’If you see, I worked as an interim before and I had only one chance. But that experience was not good either. Then I never got the opportunity again. Salahuddin worked before that. I, too worked with Jamie Siddons as assistant. So its not like we do not have experience with the national team. Actually we need an opportunity. If you see, when Steve Rhodes came, his beginning was not that smooth. But if you see his record, he has better winning record. You have to give proper chance so that he can progress with plans. Every coach has some natural preference, he feels confident on someone. so there are many things,’’ he said.
So what I think is international cricket is depends on game planning. The one who are performing because they are technically strong. So technique, game sense and execution is very important. Maybe the way coach tries to explain, players can’t demonstrate it that way in the ground, and this is what I feel.
‘’Maybe not for everyone but maybe for a few it is difficult to understand because when you translate it, you have to know whether it is translated properly or not. That’s why I think we are ready,’’ he said.
''This just a matter of courage to appoint someone local who can lead. If you say spin bowling coach from our country, Sohel[ former fielding coach known to be mentor of Mehedy Hasan] is working for a long time with good vibes. There are so many coaches who spend their whole time with cricket,’’ he said.
