Gamini De Silva set to leave Bangladesh cricket

Around the world, cricket ground curators usually work quietly behind the scenes. They rarely draw much public attention. But Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) chief curator Gamini De Silva has been an exception.

Over the years, the Sri Lankan has become one of the most talked-about figures in Bangladesh cricket. Gamini often faced criticism over the nature of the wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur — though, in most cases, the pitch conditions reflected the team management's requirements.

Now, Bangladesh cricket's long association with Gamini is coming to an end. The BCB renewed his contract for another year in July this year, but with nine months still remaining, Gamini is set to return to Sri Lanka. According to a BCB source, he will be paid two months' salary as per the terms of the contract, and an official announcement is expected in a day or two.

Since joining the BCB in 2010, Gamini had long been in charge of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. His departure, however, had become a matter of time. Last August, the board appointed Tony Hemming as head of the Turf Management Wing. Gamini was then moved from Mirpur to oversee the Rajshahi Stadium — but even there, the BCB was reportedly not satisfied with his work.