Umar Gul in talks with BCB for pace bowling coach role

Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul is in discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about taking over as the national team's pace bowling coach. The right-arm fast bowler confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Monday (April 7).

BCB is currently searching for a new pace bowling coach to replace Andre Adams, who has a two-year contract running until February 2026.

A senior board official confirmed that the New Zealander - who will be guiding the pacers in the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe - is unlikely to continue in his role until the end of his contract due to dissatisfaction within the team over his performance. This has prompted the board to start looking for a replacement.

"We are in talks, but nothing is confirmed yet," Gul told Cricbuzz on Monday. "The confirmation depends on mutual understanding and terms and conditions, and that is dependent on the board," he added.

Gul, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has built an impressive coaching resume. The right-arm pacer represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 130 ODIs, and 60 T20Is between 2003 and 2016. Since retiring, he has held coaching roles with Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Afghanistan's national team before returning to Pakistan as their fast-bowling coach.

Meanwhile, apart from Gul, several other names have cropped up as possible replacements for Adams, including former Australian pacer Shaun Tait, along with former Bangladesh pace bowling coaches Allan Donald and Ottis Gibson.

Recently, BCB extended the coaching tenure of Phil Simmons until the 2027 ICC World Cup.

In addition, BCB has finalized the reappointment of senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin.

"The verbal agreement with Salahuddin bhai has been finalized. The formalities might be completed during the board meeting. The announcement was supposed to be made then, but due to unforeseen reasons, it got postponed," said a BCB official.

Salahuddin, a highly respected coach in Bangladesh cricket, earlier joined the national team as senior assistant coach and later also took up the role of batting coach.

He is expected to play a key role in Bangladesh's preparations for upcoming international assignments.