& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Latif BCB's surprise

Imran to take over as coach

SPORTS REPORTER
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday sprang a real surprise when it announced Lt. Col. (retired) MA Latif Khan as manager of Bangladesh team for the forthcoming tri-nation tournament and the Test series against South Africa.
Although the Board quite predictably named Sarwar Imran as an interim coach in place of underfire former Pakistan paceman Mohsin Kamal, Latif's appointment was unexpected with former national captain Faruque Ahmed or ex-national opener Athar Ali Khan being tipped as successors to
ASM Faruque.
Latif's name only cropped up on Saturday when a Board official confirmed the existence of a third candidate dismissing the general feeling that it was going to be a twoway race between the two former national stars.
But Faruque, who led Bangladesh to the ICC Trophy in Kenya in 1994, was the popular choice because of his relationship with the players. Besides, signs were that the BCB was considering an ex-player for the demanding job.
Latif, a former Director General of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan, is known as a strict disciplinarian.
He was instrumental in estabFROM PAGE 8
lishing the image of the country's lone sports institute as a breeding ground for disciplined, hardworking and dedicated future stars. He has also been involved with various sports bodies most notably with the Bangladesh Boxing Federation.
His association with the BKSP lasted for three years. Although he never played the game at any significant level, he feels that his passion for cricket will carry him through in this critical juncture for the sport.
"I still haven't planned anything as I have to know my actual role and the term. But as I have been entrusted with the responsibility of a team that the whole nation looks up to, I'll give my utmost effort to live up to that expectation," said Latif in his instant reaction to the Daily Star.
" My first job would be to lift the team morale and establish a spirit de core among the players as they have really suffered from the World Cup debacle. I will also look to instill the motto 'strict discipline, hard work and hard training' in the players' hearts as I did with the BKSP Cadets during my time there," added Latif.
Latif will form a unique combination with Imran who was the cricket coach at BKSP when Latif was DG.
" I have known him (Latif) as a dedicated and an extremely hardworking person. I don't mind a non-cricketer as manager as long as his involvement is focused on non-technical aspects."
Imran, who had been associated with the national squad in various capacities before, said that he was looking forward to working with the team again.
" I am aware that this is an interim appointment but I'll try to get a combination going. My longterm association would be with the A Team set up and the fast bowlers."