Champaka to take reins of HP unit

Former Sri Lanka pacer Champaka Ramanayake is set to take over as head coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's High Performance Unit. The post had been vacant since December last year after the board parted ways with Simon Helmot.

Chamapaka returned to Bangladesh two years ago, joining the HP unit as its head bowling coach.

"Champaka has been working with us for a long time and has good relations with players so he is a front-runner. We will make a decision after speaking to BCB president Nazmul Hassan,'' HP chairman Naimur Rahman said yesterday.

Champaka first came to Bangladesh in 2008 before joining the Sri Lanka national team as its bowling coach.

"I wanted to be head coach of the HP team. I have good knowledge of the boys. I have worked with them in academy and HP team for the past two years. I would be thankful if board kept their faith in me,'' Champaka said.