DHAKA: Bangladesh have appointed Ottis Gibson as their new pace bowling coach, replacing South African Charl Langeveldt who resigned in December.

The 50-year old former West Indies fast bowler signed a two-year agreement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Gibson, who has enjoyed two successful stints as bowling coach with England and has served as head coach of the West Indies and South Africa, will join the squad for the Pakistan tour which begins in Lahore on Friday.

“He brings in tremendous experience and has coached or played all over the world. He has also had the opportunity to observe Bangladesh cricket from close,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. “I am sure he will be a very valuable addition to the Bangladesh team’s coaching group.”

Gibson has also worked with Bangladesh Premier League side Cumilla Warriors.

Bangladesh were due to depart on Wednesday evening for the three-match Twenty20 International series in Lahore from Jan 24 to 27.

They will return to Pakistan in February for the first of two Tests in Rawalpindi. The second is slated for Karachi will be in April, and two days before that they will play a One-day international at the same venue.

Several coaching staff, including spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori, batting coach Neil McKenzie and fielding coach Ryan Cook have refused to tour Pakistan along with senior cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim on safety grounds.

Langeveldt had a two-year contract with Bangladesh but was released after less than five months so he could take up a similar role with Cricket South Africa.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2020