Eddie Barlow's association with Bangladesh cricket might have lasted little more than a year only, but the South African will be remembered and respected as the best foreign coach by the cricketers and officials here alike.
Barlow breathed his last in north Wales on Saturday at the age of 65, and cricket world hailed him as one of the finest South African all-rounders of 60s. But in Bangladesh, where the baby-faced Barlow came in 1999, the first and the only reaction was that the new Test nation had just lost a true friend.
Barlow was not only a mere coach but also assumed the role of a father figure to the cricketers and cunningly vocal during Bangladesh's campaign for Test status after the 1999 World Cup. His 10-year development programme has also played the key factor to change the face of our domestic cricket although a cruel heart-stroke cut short his association with Bangladesh, much earlier than expected.
"He was a true friend of Bangladesh cricket. To be honest he was the architect behind the change of domestic structure. It was bad luck that we couldn't get him for a long time," said chief selector Faruque Ahmed.
Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said that it was hard to believe that Eddie, who affectionately called him "Sumi", was no more.
"Whatever I have achieved so far was because of that man. He gave me the mental support when my place in the national team was not even confirmed. I will always remember his words to the selectors that I have learnt afterwards 'Is Sumi in the list for the inaugural Test," said an emotion-chalked Bashar.
"Can you imagine a man seriously ill rushed to the ground only to see Bangladesh's practice match against Derbyshire. Honestly speaking, Bangladesh's cricket was in his heart," he said.
Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud said that his first experience with the South African would remain forever in his memory.
"When I first came across him during his first trip to our country before his contract with the board was struck, Barlow asked some senior players what kind of coach they wanted. Our unanimous reply was 'a motivator'. He assured us that we would get it," said the allrounder.
"He (Barlow) was the key person to transform our cricket to the highest level from ICC stage. It was bad luck for us that he had a very short stint, otherwise players could learn how to play the longer-version game," said another former skipper Akram Khan.
Wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud termed him as the best coach in his long career. "I must say that he was the best coach I have ever seen in my career. He had the rare quality to stand before the players when it was needed. He had showed us how one coach can motivate his players with a one-to-one conversation," said Mashud.
"I want to take the opportunity to give a small picture of his fatherly attitude towards the players. During a camp at BKSP, Bulbul (Aminul Islam) suddenly learnt that his son was sick and he told the coach that he would come back to the camp the next morning after seeing his son. But an angry Barlow's response was that Bulbul should join the camp only after the recovery of his son," recalled Mashud.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also expressed their deep shock over the death of the former Bangladesh coach and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
BCB announced that all players and officials would don blackribbon during Monday's Aktel Premier Division Cricket League matches to show their respect to the South African.