BCB contact Aaqib Javed for bowling coach role

The Bangladesh Cricket Board have reportedly contacted former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed to fill the void of the bowling coach for the national side. BCB chief Nazmul Hasan Papon confirmed the same on Monday. The move comes after the Heath Streak stepped down from his position as bowling coach of Bangladesh.

“We are in touch with Aaqib Javed,” Hassan said. “Our CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed us that we will get an answer from him – yes or no – by the day after tomorrow (Tuesday). We are also discussing if we can talk about the alternatives.”

The former Zimbabwean skipper joined the Bangladesh fold in 2014 and has overseen a complete renaissance in the bowling unit of the team. However, Streak decided against renewing his contract in 2016 as he went on to take up the coaching role with new IPL franchise, Gujarat Lions. The BCB have been looking for a bowling coach ever since.

Aaqib Javed served as the coach for the United Arab Emirates in the World T20 earlier this year. He was also responsible for the UAE qualification to the main draw of the Asia Cup T20 2016 prior to the start of the World T20. However, the former Pakistan speedster stepped down from his position as he was looking for bigger opportunities in cricket coaching. He is also the director of cricket operations with Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.

“I am looking ahead to bigger goals now as I have done everything – being at no. 2 in the command, and recently coaching UAE – so why not go beyond that. Something that kept me motivated when I joined UAE was that I knew I had to work hard to gather a broken team and get them to stand on their feet, so that was a new experience and I loved doing that. So now I don’t want to take up the old job and do the same things again. I am thinking beyond that and if I am offered [the role], I will definitely consider being a head coach of a full Test-playing nation.”

So far, the BCB has been in discussions with three other candidates.