Bangladesh is celebrating their historic success in the World Cup 2007. After defeating India in their World Cup opener, people all over Bangladesh celebrated the Tigers success in jubilant mood. Their celebration reached a peak when Bangladesh defeated Bermuda in the final group match to reach the second stage for the first time in their cricketing history.
Dav Whatmore took the helm of Bangladesh Cricket after their infamous debacle in world cup 2003. In his 4 year tenure with Bangladesh, he completely transformed a losing lowly Bangladesh side into a much competitive cricketing nation. Bangladesh registered 32 of out their 35 ODI wins under Dav Whatmore.
Like the world media, most of the fans acknowledge that Whatmore is the man behind the resurgence of Bangladesh cricket and want him as Bangladesh coach until the 2011 world cup in which Bangladesh is a co-host. Whatmore's current contract with Bangladesh expires in June.
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In a recent survey conducted by BanglaCricket.com fans online discussion forum, more than 70% of participants want Whatmore to stay until next world cup while about 20% want him for at least another 2 years. This is a clear indication of the current frame of mind of Bangladesh fans.
"Whatmore is doing a good job with the team so far and he has changed the atmosphere of the dressing room. He has earned respect and love among Bangladeshi fans," said Shahriyar Rahman, who lives in Canada and is a passionate follower of Bangladesh cricket.
His voice was echoed by Borhan Zabed, a company executive in Bangladesh: "Dav has got the vision to take Bangladesh a long way. He is in the middle of moulding Bangladesh into a world beating side. We need his service for another 3-4 years to reach the level of top teams".
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is also taking initiatives to keep him after the world cup. "He is doing a fantastic job with Bangladesh. He is in contract with us until June this year and we are in the process to review it. Hopefully he will stay with Bangladesh Cricket," said a top (anonymous) BCB official while talking to a national Daily Shamokal.
Fans are concerned about recent interest from Indian media about Dav Whatmore as India coach. Whatmore was linked to Indian hot seat before Gregg Chappel took the charge and Whatmore eventually renewed his contract with Bangladesh in 2005.
"India is desperately looking for a coach to replace Chappel. Whatmore is definitely in their short list. I want BCB to act faster and make arrangements so that Whatmore stays with Bangladesh Cricket", said Raihan Mahmud, a Dhaka University student while celebrating the Bangladesh success with thousands of students. Everyone in the crowd supported him and chanted slogans for Dav Whatmore.
After reaching super eight stage of world cup, Ahmed Bashir a moderator of BanglaCricket, summed up the current emotion of Bangladesh fans, "I want him to stay as long as it takes him to Take BD among the top-4 teams in the world!!"
In the current scenario, Whatmore is definitely under media spotlight but he is concentrating on the rest of the world cup mission of the Tigers. He is not getting overjoyed by his boys super eight progress and believes Tigers can produce more surprises in the second round.
World cup success is nothing new to Whatmore, in his previous world cup mission; he guided Sri Lanka to world cup glory. Bangladesh fans believe he can lead Bangladesh to the same glory in 2011 world cup and desperately want Whatmore to stay with Bangladesh.
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