Despite major shifts in Bangladesh’s political scene and two changes at the helm of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), one figure has remained untouched for 15 years: Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium’s curator, Gamini de Silva.
Protected by the influential BCB director and Grounds Committee chairman Mahbub Anam, the Sri Lankan curator rose to power over the years, reportedly going as far as to threaten players’ careers and treat them with open disrespect. Ironically, while his core duty was to improve pitch quality at the country’s premier cricket venue, it is precisely where he has faced the most criticism. Yet, successive BCB administrations renewed his contract time and again.
Now, that reign may be coming to an end. Although no official announcement has been made, speculation is rife that Gamini’s time at Mirpur is drawing to a close. His contract was recently extended for another year, but the board has now brought in Australian pitch curator and educator Tony Hemming as the new Head of Turf Management.
Hemming will be responsible for improving pitch standards across all of Bangladesh’s international cricket venues and for developing local curators. This is not his first involvement with the BCB. He previously worked as a curator in 2023, but left midway through his contract to join the Pakistan Cricket Board, reportedly frustrated with his experience in Bangladesh. In an interview with a local English daily, he referred to Mahbub Anam as a “mafia figure”. Despite that comment, Anam still holds his post, and BCB Director and Media Committee Chairman Iftekhar Rahman Mithu believes Hemming no longer harbours any discomfort.
“Hemming’s appointment is finalised. We are setting up a separate Turf Management unit, which he will lead,” said Mithu following a board meeting on Saturday night. “He will oversee all our international venues, and all the curators will be under his supervision. Any pitch development or relaying will be done under his guidance.”
Hemming arrived in Dhaka on Saturday and visited the Mirpur stadium on Sunday to begin his work. At the same time, Gamini left for Sri Lanka on leave. The timing of these movements has led many within the cricketing circle to anticipate a formal departure.
However, Mithu did not confirm Gamini’s exit. “Time will tell whether Gamini stays or not. His contract has been extended by one year. If we want to terminate it, we must provide two months’ notice. Hemming just arrived today, so it is difficult to say anything definitive about Gamini right now.”
Talks of removing Gamini gained momentum after the recent home series against Pakistan. Despite a series win, dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitches was widespread. Players, the head coach and even board directors voiced concerns about the low-bounce surfaces, which are far from ideal with the Asia Cup on the horizon.
Chairman of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, did not hold back in expressing his disappointment. “To be honest, the wicket used in the Pakistan series left him (the head coach) very disappointed. We were too. Because we know these are not the kind of wickets that prepare us for where we’ll be playing next.”
The Mirpur wicket has long been a source of frustration. Shakib Al Hasan once remarked that it could ruin players’ careers. Tamim Iqbal was fined during a BPL season for criticising it. Both local and foreign players and coaches have echoed the sentiment that the pitch is far from suitable.
Yet despite years of vocal criticism, Gamini remained in charge, seemingly immune to accountability. With the arrival of Tony Hemming, that long-standing influence appears to be fading. All that remains now is the formal confirmation.