Stuart Law steps down as Bangladesh head coach

Bangladesh National Team Head Coach Stuart Law announced today that he was stepping down from the position. Law, who took over as Bangladesh coach from 01 July 2011, said that he was standing down due to purely personal reasons."It is with great regret and a heavy heart that today I announce my stepping down as the head coach of Bangladesh. Firstly I would like to thank the BCB, the Board Directors and all the workers who have made my stay here very enjoyable. I am grateful for this opportunity because without this I wouldn't have gained the experience that I did and to finish it off with almost winning the Asia Cup was very good sign that the Bangladesh cricket team is going the right way.

"It is personal reason as to why I am standing down. Living away from the family and not seeing people growing up, I think we all understand that family comes first. Cricket has been a huge part of my life but over the years I have realised that there is nothing more important than the family and if they are not happy then I am not happy and something had to give. So unfortunately I have to stand down for those reasons.

"This has nothing to do with anyone in the cricket fraternity in Bangladesh. I have really enjoyed my time here. It has been a fantastic period for me. I have learned a lot about cricket and the culture here. I have learned a lot about the people here and I'll go away from this place having made extremely great friends and lots of friendship that will continue on for ever and ever.

"As I have said it was very difficult but it was a decision I had to make."

BCB Media Commitee Chairman Jalal Yunus said that the Board was saddened by the announcement but understood Law's position.

"As he (Law) has said the family was his priority and that should be the case for all of us. We are sorry to see him go, especially at a time when under his guidence the Bangladesh team is doing really well and showing good consistency. We wish him all the best."

Law wil continue with the Bangladesh team until the end of his contract which expires on 30 June 2012.

"We would have loved to see Stuart continue with the Bangladesh side but we respect his decision. We would like to thank him for his conribution to Bangladesh cricket. The team has shown a marked improvement and he deservs a lot of credit for that. We will start the procedure for a new head coach appointment soon," said BCB Cricket Operations Committee Chairman Enayet Husain Siraj.