Ottis Gibson named Bangladesh bowling coach

Former West Indies fast bowler Ottis Gibson has been appointed the bowling coach of Bangladesh national team. The 50-year-old Barbados-born Gibson has signed a two-year agreement with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) which will go into 2022. Gibson will replace South African Charl Langeveldt who had resigned in December 2019.

Gibson had appeared for the West Indies in Tests and ODIs and had an accomplished first class and List A career spanning 17 years in which he took over 1000 wickets. Since his retirement as a player in 2007, he has held prominent coaching positions including the head coach’s role with the West Indies and South Africa and bowling coach of England. In the recently concluded Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2020, Gibson was the head coach of Cumilla Warriors.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said Gibson’s inclusion will strengthen the coaching team: “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. I am sure he will be a very valuable addition to the Bangladesh Team’s coaching group.”

Gibson’s assignment with the Bangladesh Team starts immediately as he will join the squad for the tour of Pakistan. The Bangladesh side is scheduled to depart for Lahore tomorrow (Wednesday) evening for a three-match T20 international series. The team will then return to Pakistan in February and April to complete two Tests and an ODI.