Breaking News: Ian Pont To Leave Bangladesh

[Zunaid]

Pont Decides To Leave Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s bowling coach, Ian Pont, has decided not to extend his contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which expires on March 31st. The board had offered Pont an extension but not an improved offer. “I came on a short-term contract. But for me to make a long-term commitment and relinquish my UK coaching business I needed a more viable arrangement. We couldn’t come to any agreement on that sadly”, said Pont, who completed his last full day as bowling coach at Mirpur for the national team against the Bangladesh 'A" side in a practice match for the Australia series.

The man who was instrumental in a resurgence of the bowling unit that won 7 out of 8 ODI’s at the end of 2010 feels that Bangladesh needs more consistency like that if it is to compete on the world’s stage. The team won half of it’s 2011 World Cup matches but net run rate let the side down and Bangladesh’s journey ended with a 206 run defeat at the hands of South Africa in game six.

“Unfortunately, the batting unit never really fired at the World Cup”, said Pont. “We have been successful in parts but in the past six months we simply haven’t been able to do many of the basics right to be consistent. That said we have still won 10 of our last 14 ODIs. I think most countries and most coaches around the world would be happy with that record - and I am happy to have it as mine.”

On the plus side, fast bowlers Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain have really blossomed under Pont’s astute guidance. Shafiul was unlucky not to win man of the match award against Ireland and England and it is this self-belief that has permeated into the quicks. “Shafiul and Rubel generally did us proud under the severest of pressure in Power Play 1, going as far back as the New Zealand and Zimbabwe series. They also thought more about being smart bowlers and it worked. The World Cup was a stern test for them and I think they did a great job.”

After a major competition such as the World Cup most countries have an internal review. “Australia is having a top-down review of coaching systems, staff and attitudes after they lost the Ashes. The ECB regularly does this in England to ensure we have the best practices, which means they have coaches and staff who have enthusiasm, positivity and a ‘can do’ attitude. Coaches have to get ‘in there and do sleeves rolled up coaching’. Players are advised, helped and corrected. This is what professional coaching is all about. I am certain the BCB will identify what needs to be done.”

With regard to his 6 months here Pont has some positive words. “The fans have been amazing. They are emotional and perhaps need to apply more logic in some situtations, but you cannot fault their enthusiasm. I felt they helped us beat New Zealand in the 4-0 ‘Banglawash”. With good scouting and development coaching, I am certain that Bangladesh cricket can make a real impression in the world. As long as players keep their desire to be better and better, then most things are possible.”

Pont doesn’t see his return home an end to his association with the Tigers. “I would like to stay involved with Bangladesh Cricket to develop future fast bowlers from the next generation over the next few years in some capacity. I feel this is a vital ingredient for replicating what Sri Lanka has been able to do, for example, in the same sort of time frame. Developing the pace bowling unit is going to make the Bangladesh cricket far more competitive.”

Pont, who has been linked to the vacant Australian fast bowling vacancy and various fast bowling projects in India, returns home on April 1st to coach at his MCI (Mavericks Cricket Institute) academy.

[Source: Press Release]

[Isnaad]

WHY!

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[Shaan]

not a good news !!

[Nadim]

It was on the card

[Zunaid]

I guess the finer points of the contract could not we worked out.

Thank you Ian for what you did for us and we hope you will continue to grace us here on BC an and off.

Good luck and hope to see you back soon.

[RazabQ]

Sounds like contract terms couldn't be agreed upon.

[dolcevita]

Its a big lost

Pont is a WC coach
and seems to enjoys his job

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[mac]

Bad news. Anyway, thanks coach.

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[_Rafi_]

BCB can send our upcoming bowlers to Ian's Maverick Academy in UK for 6 months training. Both party will be benefitted in this way.

[Rabz]

Oh well !!
Thanks for everything Mr Pont.

So, who should we seek for replacement ???

[firstlane]

As a developing cricket nation we needed a coach like Pont who always amphasizes on basics.
2 more years of his service and we could have a formidable pace bowling bowling attack I believe.

[firstlane]

Originally Posted by Rabz
So, who should we seek for replacement ???

We need a good coach, not just a good ex-bowler.

[Antora]

OH I could sense something like this was going to happen
Anyway, Thanks Coach for all you hard work and contribution to Bangladesh cricket, in particular devepoling Shafiul and Rubel as much better bowlers. Our pace bowlers really peaked under your assistance and I hope to see you develop more pacers in BD in the future. Thank you for everything.

[amar11432]

So we are now coachless for the Aussie series!!! Great job BCB.

[shuziburo]

I was afraid of something like this. BCB can give 4-year commitments to Jamie Siddons, but not to Ian Pont who has shown his value during the limited time he was here. It will be our loss. I hope our bowlers can build from his training.

Thank you Ian and best of luck!

[SS]

So many news (bad news) it took me a while this morning to realize this thread is real...
Not sure what will happen to our bowling unit...actually not sure about anything at this moment about BD cricket...board, selectors nothing happened to them...players who did not perform have no regret...atleast their actions are not showing that they seem that much of remorseful...on top of it the coach saga will definitely impact player's performance as they are low in confidence...

I wish Ian all the best, his contribution was great and very sad that things did not work out with the contract.

[Avik]

big loss indeed.

thank you Ian and good luck with your future assignments.

[nura43]

BCB is in absolute disarray. They r absolutely hopeless. In two years down the track they will take Bangladesh cricket back to 1980s. BCB needs an urgent reform.

[roman]

Mr. Pont
Thank You so much for the memory. You'll be missed for sure ....

[AsifTheManRahman]

Originally Posted by Rabz
Oh well !!
Thanks for everything Mr Pont.

So, who should we seek for replacement ???

Troy Cooley

Sorry to see Ian go, but that's how it is and we need to move on.

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[Naimul_Hd]

so, {Speculation} Ian Pont is not going to stay as Bowling Coach of Bangladesh has finally come true ! so sad !! another shock for BD team in a short time.

anyway, thanks Ian for your help and love. Wish you luck for your future endeavor.

[cricket_dorshok]

Thank you Ian for your service to Bangladesh Cricket

[Zunaid]

Now on CI

http://www.espncricinfo.com/banglade...ry/508726.html

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[SS]

Originally Posted by Zunaid
Now on CI

http://www.espncricinfo.com/banglade...ry/508726.html

Posted via BC Mobile Edition

CI te ato tara tari news ta gelo kemne

[Shubho]

Thanks for the hard work, Ian. It was fun while it lasted. All the best for the future.

I hope the BCB thought this one through and has plans to hire a replacement.

Then again, "BCB" and "think" don't belong in the same sentence.