Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud is likely to step into Chandika Hathurusingha's position as the national head coach, at least on an interim basis if the BCB is unable to find a foreign coach. BCB president Nazmul Hassan said the chances of Mahmud taking over were the "highest" even as they continued to look for a foreign coach. It is understood former England coach Andy Flower has turned down an approach to take over, while another potential target, the former Australia opener Justin Langer, has also been ruled out.

"If we don't get a foreign coach before the Sri Lanka series, then we will look at a local coach," Hassan said on Monday. "We have Khaled Mahmud Shujon; the possibilities of him taking over are highest." Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are scheduled to play an ODI tri-series in January.

Flower is understood to have informed the BCB he was happy with his current role coaching England Lions. Long term, however, the ECB may face a fight to retain Flower's services. It is understood he has been in demand from domestic and international teams in recent months and there may well come a time when he decides it is time to move on. He is understood to have told the Bangladesh board that he was flattered but the time was not right. He declined to comment. Flower was recently coach for a World XI side that traveled to Pakistan on a path-breaking tour, and has held a coaching role in the recent past with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League as well.

Langer, meanwhile, signed a three-year deal with Western Australia as head coach at the start of this season and has often been touted as a future Australia coach.

The position of the Bangladesh head coach became vacant when Hathurusingha stepped down during the South Africa tour last month and the news became public in November. The exact reasons behind Hathurusingha's resignation remain unclear - Hassan said they were still waiting to hear the reasons from him - he is already in line to take over as Sri Lanka's head coach soon.