Pybus debuts as coach of Bangladesh Tigers

HARARE: Former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus makes his debut in charge of minnows Bangladesh when they confront hosts Zimbabwe in the opening game of a tri-nation Twenty20 tournament.
Depleted South Africa are also competing at Harare Sports Club in the eight-day warm-up ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 to be hosted by Sri Lanka during September and October.
South Africa and Zimbabwe share Group C at the world 20-over championship with Sri Lanka while Bangladesh have been placed in Group D beside New Zealand and Pakistan.
Pybus, who was born in England and raised in Australia and turned to coaching in his mid-twenties after an injury ended his playing career, wants to build on the good form of the Bangladeshi Tigers in the Asia Cup this year.
The weakest top-flight Asian cricket nation stunned India and Sri Lanka in Dhaka before coming off second best to Pakistan in the final and the new man at the helm wants to tap into the confidence gained from that achievement.
"It is important to build on the momentum that has been created by the results in the Asia Cup and reach the goals we have set for ourselves," he stressed.
"We want to improve our rankings in all formats," he said of a team currently ninth on the Test and a one-day international lists. "My job is to maximise the potential within the squad."