Arteta 2.0: The “best young coach in the world” open to joining Man Utd

Manchester United’s problems undoubtedly go way beyond the playing squad, but given the nature of modern-day football, it’s the manager and players who take the brunt of the criticism.

Ruben Amorim has been the man to lead the club forward for the last 14 months, but that came to an abrupt end this week after he was dismissed by the board.

The 40-year-old’s outburst after the clash with Leeds United last weekend was the final straw for the manager, who won just 25 of his 63 matches at the helm.

The 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season would have undoubtedly played on the minds of senior staff members, with such a finish unacceptable for a club of the Red Devils’ stature.

However, despite Darren Fletcher taking the reins on a temporary basis, the hunt has already commenced for a long-term solution to the managerial issue at Old Trafford.

Elite-level manager now keen on Man Utd move

Over the last 24 hours, rumours have been swirling over who could become United’s latest manager, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær now wanting to return.

The Norwegian spent three years in charge at Old Trafford after signing a full-time contract following his own temporary spell at the helm back in December 2018.

He was sacked back in November 2021 after a dismal run of form, but a sensational return could be on the cards should the hierarchy decide to hand him the chance in Manchester.

However, he’s not the only option currently available to them, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola another manager who could replace the outgoing Amorim in the near future.

According to TEAMtalk, the Spaniard would be keen to discuss terms with the United hierarchy over a potential deal, with his deal set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The report also states that the 43-year-old is hugely admired by staff at Old Trafford, which could see him jump up the list of potential targets in the weeks ahead.

Another part of the article confirms that despite his interest in the role, he would prefer a summer move to get a proper opportunity to make his mark – with a temporary boss expected until the end of the season.

Why Iraola would be United’s very own Arteta

Whilst Arsenal are a club very few United fans are fond of, the fanbase will no doubt be feeling an ounce of jealousy in the direction of the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard has transformed the club from strugglers in the Premier League to title challengers – as seen by their three successive second place finishes.

However, this year, he may be about to end the club’s two-decade wait for a top-division title, with his men currently sitting six points clear at the top of the table after the first 20 outings.

The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a reason to be proud of their club – unlike United – something which Iraola has also done with the Cherries – but certainly on a different level to his compatriot.

Iraola, who’s from the Basque region like Arteta, took charge at the Vitality back in the summer of 2023, subsequently leading the club to their first-ever top-half top-division finish in 2024/25.

He’s worked closely with the recruitment team on the South Coast, often bringing in numerous top-level youngsters and developing them into consistent Premier League performers.

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The Red Devils have gone down a similar path in recent years, but ultimately, they haven’t had the correct manager to implement the right strategy to get the best out of their players.

Iraola has made himself a top Premier League manager in a short space of time, which has led to Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe dubbing him the “best young coach in the world”.

He has achieved a 37% win rate at the Vitality, winning 40 of his 108 matches in charge – subsequently doing so on a shoestring budget compared to what he would have at United.

Andoni Iraola – PL stats

Statistics

Tally

Games managed

96

Wins

33

Draws

28

Losses

35

Goals scored

143

Goals conceded

151

Points won

127

Points per game

1.32

Win percentage

34.3%

Stats via Transfermarkt

His stint at Bournemouth has made him one of the most talented young managers in Europe, but it’s unclear if he would be able to replicate such achievements at Old Trafford.

However, his track record of taking sides up the Premier League and developing young talent are two positives that could hand him the chance to be the Red Devils’ next boss.

Rayo Vallecano coachAndoniIraola

The similarities to Arteta are there for all to see, with such a gamble potentially catapulting the club back into a title fight over the next few years if they decide to back him.

Better than Glasner: Man Utd enter talks to hire one of the 'world's best'

Manchester United appear to be making progress over a move to appoint a new manager.

3 ByEthan Lamb

New Zealand win series in tense, rain-hit finish

Scorecard and-ball-by-ball details1:41

Guptill’s match-winning runs

There was a large top-order stand and a middle-overs collapse from either team, and perhaps it was an umpiring error that separated the sides in the end. New Zealand needed 53 from 45 balls when play resumed after a rain delay. They got home with two balls to spare, and three wickets in hand – Mitchell Santner providing the blows to quell the Pakistan quicks’ final charge.

Pakistan fined for slow over-rate

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has been fined 20% of his match fee for maintaining a slow over rate during his team’s three-wicket defeat against New Zealand in Auckland. His team-mates have been docked 10% of their match fees.
The charge was laid by on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Nigel Llong, third umpire Bruce Oxenford and fourth umpire Derek Walker. The fine was imposed by David Boon of the elite panel of ICC match referees after Pakistan were ruled to be one over short of their target once time allowances were taken into consideration.
Azhar will face a suspension if Pakistan commit another over-rate breach within the next 12 months under his captaincy.

Chasing a revised 263 from 43 overs, the match had been finely balanced in the home stretch before two gaffes in five balls put the hosts in control. The first was a botched chance in the deep, as Mohammad Hafeez spilled Luke Ronchi’s mis-hit pull, after diving forward to get both hands to it. The next was a botched decision from umpire Billy Bowden, who failed to hear an edge off Corey Anderson’s blade in the 39th over, leaving bowler Rahat Ali and his fielders in disbelief. If Pakistan had got that wicket, they would have had Santner batting alongside the out-of-sorts Ronchi, with 38 still needed off the last 24 balls. What they got instead was two successive sixes from Anderson, who had been suitably stoic during that appeal – not even chancing a glance back at the keeper.Thirteen runs were scored off the next over, bringing the requirement to 13 runs from 18 balls, before Pakistan worked themselves up for another late push. Wahab bowled Ronchi at the end of a 41st over that cost only three runs. Then Mohammad Irfan had Anderson caught at deep midwicket, conceding only four runs from the penultimate over. The hosts now needed six from six.As it turned out, New Zealand had reserved enough batting quality for the end. Santner drilled the first ball of the last over through the covers, and though Wahab responded with two dot-balls, Santner found a leg-side boundary to seal the match, and the series 2-0.Before rains intervened after 35.3 overs, Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill had provided the perfect foundation for the chase of 291, hitting 84 and 82 respectively. New Zealand lost Brendon McCullum to Mohammad Amir’s first ball, but their two form batsmen gave the chase a surging start. Guptill smoked Irfan high over long off in the third over, before Williamson hit boundaries on either side of the wicket, off the same bowler’s next over.Amir, though, seaming and slippery, made trouble for both batsmen. He hit Guptill’s pad twice, raising voracious appeals, one of which Pakistan burned their review on. And he threatened the edge numerous times, angling the ball across the right handers, then seaming it back at them. Williamson had both edges beaten in the 10th over – the last of Amir’s first spell, which yielded figures of 1 for 15 from five overs. The other bowlers had not been nearly as good. The hosts took 52 from the Powerplay despite Amir’s parsimony.The batsmen settled into smooth accumulation when the field relaxed. There were occasional eruptions, like when Williamson smoked a six and a four off Irfan in the 14th over, but the partnership merely bubbled for the most part. The run rate continued to be better than what was required. By the 20th over, New Zealand had hit 118, Guptill having crossed 50 and Williamson closing in on his.It would eventually be part-time legspin that broke the partnership. Azhar Ali had gone for 16 in his first two overs, but kept himself on, and got Guptill to send an outside edge to point in the 26th over. By then the partnership had grown to 159 – a record for the second wicket for New Zealand, just two weeks after the same pair had also broken the overall T20 partnership record. Azhar had Williamson stumped in his next over as well, weakening New Zealand from 165 for 1 to 180 for 3. When Amir came back to trap Henry Nicholls in front soon after, Pakistan were back in the match. When Grant Elliott fell just as the hour-long rain delay began, New Zealand had slipped to 210 for 5.Pakistan’s innings had followed a similar pattern; two top order batsmen putting the team in control, before their dismissals in sight of centuries sparked a stutter from the middle order. Babar Azam struck 83 from 77 balls and Mohammad Hafeez made 76 from 60, hitting five sixes and as many fours. Together they made 134 runs for the third wicket, off 107 balls.Coming together after Trent Boult and Matt Henry had removed the openers cheaply, Hafeez and Azam made the innings spark. Striking two fours apiece just after the Powerplay ended, they pushed the run rate above six in the 12th over, and it continued to creep north of there. Hafeez hit his second six when he ran at Santner and lifted him over the sightscreen in the 13th over. Azam largely preferred to keep the ball along the ground.In between the big shots, there were ample runs into the outfield. Hafeez’ big straight six to pass 50 in the 19th over brought another swell of boundaries. He hit two more sixes in quick succession – off Milne and Santner – inspiring Azam to venture a big straight blow as well. The 21st over, bowled by Santner, cost 20 runs, having yielded two sixes and a four, but he was kept in the attack, and broke the partnership in his next over. Hafeez attempted to hit a square six for the first time in his innings, and wound up mishitting his sweep to the deep square leg fielder.Azam continued to reap regular boundaries alongside Shoaib Malik, with whom he consolidated Pakistan’s advantage. The total crossed 200 in the 30th over, and the pair’s partnership moved to 61 from 48 balls before Malik was caught behind, cutting a Boult ball close to his body. The wicket set off Pakistan’s middle order stutter. Azam was soon out, also cutting, this time middling a Henry delivery directly to backward point, where Guptill claimed the third of his four catches in the innings.Sarfraz Ahmed attempted to glue the back end of Pakistan’s innings together, but kept losing partners. Milne blew the tail away with three late wickets, and the visitors were all out in the 48th over.

Buchanan looks ahead to Clarke era

Michael Clarke’s talent is undeniable but his ability to strategise and lead a side is yet to be tested © Getty Images

Australia should give Michael Clarke more leadership responsibilities in a bid to groom him as the country’s next long-term captain, according to John Buchanan. Clarke has been hailed as future captaincy material since his international debut but Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey have repeatedly stood in when Ricky Ponting is unavailable.Buchanan was the national coach when Clarke first emerged and he believes the only way to prepare him as Ponting’s potential successor is to throw him in the deep end. “What needs to happen is we actually need to see him in that role,” Buchanan told the .”That might mean he captains his state side or takes more of a leadership position within the Australian team. Michael needs to be given roles in terms of captaincy or vice-captaincy in certain tours and let’s see how he handles that.”Clarke, 26, was named as vice-captain to Hussey for the Chappell-Hadlee tour of New Zealand in February but a hip injury meant he missed the trip. Gilchrist, 35, is likely to retire in the next couple of years and Hussey, 32, is the same age as Ponting. That means Clarke, who captained Australia at the Under-19 World Cup in 1999-2000, is the most realistic long-term leadership candidate.However, Buchanan conceded Clarke could be overtaken in the next few seasons. “As I look at it, Michael Clarke is the person being groomed for the Australian captaincy,” Buchanan said. “If Ricky goes for another four years, that takes a lot of players out of the equation.”In four years who knows who could come into the side. Someone like Adam Voges [who is 28] is seen to be a very important leader of Western Australia.”One option to test Clarke’s credentials would be to have him take over from Simon Katich as the captain of New South Wales. However, as Clarke is a regular member of Australia’s Test and ODI sides his availability for his state would be very limited.

West Indies lose strength and conditioning coach

Bryce Cavanagh, an Australian hired in April 2005, has resigned as West Indies’ strength and conditioning coach following the Test series against Pakistan.Cavanagh’s two-year contract was close to expiring but his sudden, premature exit was still a surprise. He has not been replaced for the remainder of the tour, and caribbeancricket.com reported that assistant coach David Moore will fill in as strength and conditioning coach in the interim.Cavanagh was hired to control of fitness level tests and required standards for players at first-class and international level.

Murali gets Hair to gel

One peaceful pair now © Getty Images

When after ten years Muttiah Muralitharan and Darrell Hair got together in the middle in Melbourne, it was a quiet and friendly affair with no hints of the MCG controversy that initially brought them so much notoriety. Hair’s appointment for the second match of the Super Series revived memories of the previous meeting, but his hands remained clasped for most of Muralitharan’s two spells, although he had to raise both arms when Adam Gilchrist slog-swept a six.Whistles and claps from the crowd greeted Muralitharan’s appearance in the 12th over and the closest sign of a no-ball call came from the stands for the first delivery. Muralitharan said last week the pair had made peace and Hair smiled at the bowler following his second opening-over appeal.Muralitharan’s only success came as he confused Simon Katich on 47 and his seven-over spell finished at 28 for 1. Returning for three more overs at Hair’s end, where he again bowled in partnership with Daniel Vettori, Muralitharan finished with a highly respectable 43 for 1, and was the most economical of the World XI bowlers as Australia went to pile up 328 for 4.At the MCG on Boxing Day in 1995 Hair called Muralitharan seven times in the Test, giving both men more notoriety than either wanted. Hair received death threats and Muralitharan won a lifetime of analysis from naked eyes and laboratories, including biomechanics tests. To prove his innocence he even appeared on TV to demonstrate how his arm didn’t exceed the right degree of flex.His relationship with Australia reached its worst point when John Howard, the prime minister, ruled him a chucker and with the jeers of previous trips in his ears he said he would never tour again. However, the tsunami relief match at the MCG in January 2005 brought him back to Melbourne, where his beaming eyes and twirling figure received a hugely supportive response.

'New throwing law will be easier to apply' – Mani

Ehsan Mani: ‘Once we put the criteria in place no-one can breach it’© Getty Images

Ehsan Mani, the president of the International Cricket Council, has said that the proposed throwing rules would be fairer as well as easier to apply. He added that the old limits were not foolproof as they had been set without any scientific evidence. This statement came in after a number of cricketers, both current and former, had raised severe objections to the change in the law, allowing all bowlers a 15 degree limit to flex their arms.”What we are trying to do is to come to a system which is fair,” Mani told Reuters. “Once we put the criteria in place no-one can breach it. Our cricket committee has recommended 15 degree tolerance-limit for all bowlers because bio-mechanics have told us that if the bowling arm is bent less than 15 degrees the human eye cannot detect it.”Mani also elaborated on the procedure that will be followed if a bowler’s action is found suspect. “What we are looking at, at the moment, is a two-stage process. If a bowler gets reported, his home board takes over the process. He has six weeks to correct his action during which he can play and once the home board feels he is OK, he can continue without worrying about his action.”The minute a bowler is reported, his action will be analysed in a laboratory and if the experiments show that he is going beyond the level of tolerance, the ICC will step in immediately and testing will be done under our supervision at 15 degrees. And it has to be done in four weeks.”The current set of rules allow varying degrees of flexing for different types of bowlers with fast bowlers, medium pacers and spinners having limits of 10, 7.5 and 5 degrees respectively. Regarding the new rule, Mani said, “In lab conditions if it is shown that straightening of the arm is more than 15 degrees, he [the bowler] will not be allowed to play.”Mani was asked about Muttiah Muralitharan, whose career has been dogged by allegations of throwing. “His action is so quick that the speed at which his arm comes down is quicker than most fast bowlers. We realised that some slow bowlers’ arm actions were as quick as those of fast bowlers. So the question arose whether to treat them as fast bowlers or spinners. Instead of getting involved in that sort of discussion, we thought it better to have same level for everyone.”Mani also revealed that the ICC now planned to send the proposal back to the bowling review sub-committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club and request the panel to give their feedback on the relevance of the law. The committee will be headed by Tony Lewis, the former England captain.

Mashud leads Bangladesh to victory

Khaled Mashud’s unbeaten 37 led Bangladesh to a four-wicket victory over the Queensland Academy of Sport at Innisfail on Thursday. The visitors were also indebted to Alok Kapali (36) and Hannan Sarkar (35) as they made heavy weather of a modest target of 176.Habibul Hossain, with 3 for 39, and Khaled Mahmud – 2 for 33 – were the stars with the ball as the Academy were kept to 175 for 7 earlier in the day. Bangladesh play the first of three one-day internationals against Australia at Cairns on Saturday.

Patron's Trophy wrap-up after Round-2

After Round 2, Khan Research Labs (KRL) is at the top of the point’s table after winning both their matches in Patron’s Trophy Grade-I First Class Tournament.


Shoaib Akhtar
Photo © CricInfo

KRL – SGCP
In the 1st round match played at the KRL Ground Rawalpindi, KRL beat Sui Gas Corporation (SGCP) by 9 wickets. KRL won the toss and elected to bowl first. SGCP scored 201 runs in their 1st innings, the main performers were Sohail Idrees and Saleem Mughal with 40 runs each. For KRL Shoaib Akhtar took 4 wickets. KRL scored 410 runs in their 1st inning to take a big 209 run lead. Skipper Ali Naqvi hit 68 runs. SGCP’s Abdul Rauf took 4 and Wasim Khan grabbed 3 wickets. SGCP scored 253 runs in their 2nd inning with the help of Mohammad Hafeez’s 112. Shoaib Akhtar (3) and Jaffar Nazir (4) were the key bowlers for KRL. Batting last KRL easily reached the target of 45 runs losing only one wicket.KRL – WAPDA
In their 2nd round match, KRL overcame WAPDA by an innings and 21 runs. WAPDA


Danish Kaneria
Photo © CricInfo

won the toss and elected to field first. KRL scored 423 runs in their 1st innings with Mohammad Wasim top scorer with 79 while Faisal Irfan (4) was WAPDA’s most successful bowler. Then the KRL bowlers restricted WAPDA to 199 and forced a follow-on. Yasir Arafat and Ali Naqvi took 3 wickets each. In their 2nd innings WAPDA was bowled out for 203 runs. Yasir Arafat was the main destroyer and took 5 wickets.While HBL and PIA are at the 2nd position in the table with 15 points each. All three teams won their 1st round matches.Custom – WAPDA
Customs met WAPDA on their 1st match and won by an innings and 111 runs. Customs won the toss and elected to bat first scoring 577 with the loss of 9 wickets, both the openers Shadab Kabir and Kashif Siddiq scored centuries. In reply WAPDA managed only 221 runs and had to follow-on despite Tariq Aziz’s 103. Tabish Nawab took 5 wickets. WAPDA came short in their 2nd innings scoring only 245. Salman Fazal and Tabish Nawab took 5 and 4 wickets each.


Waqar Younis
Photo © CricInfo

HBL – PWD
In their 1st match HBL defeated PWD by 227 runs. PWD won the toss and decided to bowl and restricted HBL to 273. Atiq-uz-Zaman was HBL’s top scorer with 80, while PWD’s Rajesh Ramesh took 4 wickets. PWD only managed 144 in reply and Danish Kaneria and Kabir Khan took 3 wickets each. HBL scored 235 runs in the 2nd innings and set PWD a target of 365, but PWD were bowled out for 137.NBP – ADBP
NBP won their 1st match against ADBP by 10 wickets. ADBP won the toss and invited NBP to bat. NBP scored 405 runs in their 1st innings with the help of Sajid Ali and Naumanullah centuries. ADBP was bowled out at the score of 150 in their 1st innings and made to follow-on. Mushtaq Ahmed and Waqar Younis took 4 and 3 wickets. In their 2nd innings ADBP reached 291 to set a 37 run target, easily achieved by NBP without any loss.PIA – ABL
Star-studded PIA beat ABL by 5 wickets in their 1st match. PIA won the toss and


Wasim Akram
Photo © AFP

decided to bowl and did bowl out ABL for 186. ABL’s main scorer was Naved Latif (80). PIA’s Abdur Razzaq took 4 and Azhar Mahmood took 3 wickets apiece. PIA mustered only 224 runs in their 1st innings due to Aqib Javed and Aamer Nazir who took 3 wickets each. ABL scored 214 runs in their 2nd innings and gave PIA a target of 177 runs. Usman Tariq (94) was the top scorer. Azhar Mahmood grabbed 7 ABL wickets. PIA achieved the target but lost 5 wickets. Yousuf Youhana was PIA’s top scorer in the 2nd innings.ABL and PWD are lying at the 3rd position after winning their 2nd round matches.


Abdur Razzaq
Photo © CricInfo

ABL-ADBP
ABL beat ADBP by 9 wickets. ABL won the toss and decided to bowl. ADBP scored 166 runs in their 1st innings while Naved-ul-Hasan and Aamer Nazir took 4 and 3 wickets each. ABL scored 231 runs with the help of a century by Ijaz Ahmed jr. ADBP was bowled out the score of 163 in their 2nd innings and could only set a 99 run target. ABL only lost one wicket and Naved Latif scored a fine half-century.PWD – SGCP
PWD overcame SGCP by 6 wickets. PWD won the toss and decided to field first. SGCP scored 316 runs in their 1st innings. Sohail Idrees was top scorer with 60. PWD were all out for 388 runs in their 1st innings, Afsar Nawaz scored 156 runs while Mohammad Hussain took 5 wickets. In the 2nd innings SGCP managed only 135 runs and Tanvir Ahmed took 5 wickets. Now, PWD had to score only 64 runs, duly achieved with the loss of 4 wickets.ADBP, SGCP and WAPDA with 0 points are at the bottom of the table having lost both round matches.KRL, currently the top team, has yet to play the stronger sides as there is an obvious disparity between the various teams due to the appearance of Pakistan test stars in some of the teams. However, the experience to be gained by the weaker teams will be of great benefit. The cancellation of international tours to Pakistan has allowed the test stars to take active part in Pakistan’s domestic FC tournaments.

Murtough updates on MUFC manager search

The search for the next Manchester United manager has been highly anticipated ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in November last year, and now the board could be getting the ball rolling ahead of their plans to appoint a permanent manager this summer.

What’s the word?

Football director, John Murtough, has finally revealed an update on the search for the next manager to take charge at Old Trafford.

Murtough simply said that there is now a “thorough process” happening in a teasing update that will surely excite the supporters.

The director followed that up by saying they aim to hire someone capable of “challenging for those domestic and European titles.”

Fans will be buzzing

There is no doubt that the fans have been crying out for change, with Solksjaer becoming their fourth permanent manager to be sacked since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the summer of 2013. Thus, the idea that a thorough search is now being conducted will surely be music to the ears of the Old Trafford faithful.

Since Ferguson’s departure, the Red Devils have struggled to maintain their winning reputation and mentality, spending over a billion pounds on players and winning just three trophies in almost nine years.

As a result of their inconsistencies, if they were to go trophy-less this season it would put the club in their longest trophy drought in 40 years.

With that being said, it is now crucial for the board to make the right decision on a permanent appointment after bringing Ralf Rangnick in as interim to see out the season, the club have expectations and a reputation that could continue to be further tarnished if the right coach isn’t brought in to make the changes needed to bring success and trophies back to Old Trafford.

Erik Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino have been the reported front runners for a while, but no official approach by the Manchester United board has been made for any potential manager so far.

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However, with just a few months left of the season and the club on the brink of another campaign without success, they will need to step up their pursuit ahead of the summer, to ensure that the manager will have enough time to make his mark on the squad.

In other news: Elanga must become first choice for Rangnick

Ashraful calls for full-time coach

‘There is a big difference between a permanent and temporary coach’: Ashraful © Getty Images

Mohammad Ashraful, Bangladesh’s captain, has called for the appointment of a full-time coach ahead of his side’s tour to New Zealand at the end of the year.”I feel we desperately need a permanent coach, whoever it may be, Shaun [Williams] or anyone else. There is a big difference between a permanent and temporary coach. You can’t expect teamwork with a temporary solution,” Ashraful told the .The Bangladesh Cricket Board has been looking for a national coach since Dav Whatmore refused a two-year contract extension after spending four years with the team. Interim coach Shaun Williams, who took over in June, was at the helm for a tour of Sri Lanka and the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. Neither of the two tours was successful for Bangladesh and the strategies of the team management have been criticised, especially after some haphazard batting in the Twenty20.National selector and former captain Akram Khan, who was part of the team management during the last two trips, also stressed on the need of a full-time coach. “I was only part of the selection process. I wasn’t involved in game planning,” he said. “Actually the captain and coach have the big role behind the planning. What I want to say is that we should have come out from the short-term solution immediately about the coach.”However, he expressed his satisfaction over the Twenty20 performance. “I think our performance was not bad because we fulfilled our target but the problem is that we were not consistent enough in any form of the game,” he said. “What I felt was that our team couldn’t play their natural game with the expectations getting higher.”Chief selector Rafiqul Alam also expressed his satisfaction over Bangladesh’s performance in South Africa. “The batting problems might remain in the Twenty20 format but what is most important is that nobody took us lightly. I believe if anybody is good in the five-day game then he will be okay in any format,” he said. “We have to shift our focus to the New Zealand trip and I think this year’s National Cricket League will be crucial for the players because we are trying many things to make it worthy including the financial encouragement.”Rafiqul also believed that the team needs a permanent coach. “A permanent coach is a very important part but as well as that, we have to find the right man for the job and in that case you have to compromise on time.”Responding to allegations that Ashraful had attitude problems during the Twenty20 and did not listen to anybody during the tour, Rabeed Imam, Bangladesh’s media manager, told Cricinfo: “Ashraful is a proactive skipper and he takes initiatives. He is confident enough to take decisions he feels are right and I don’t see any justifiable reason why some people should be critical of that. He’s also the senior-most pro in the side and has more experience at this level than any other player in the Twenty 20 team.”He has excellent working relationship with the coach, coaching staff and selectors and they can vouch for that. The players also find him easily approachable as most are his age or near about.”

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