Gibbs is one of the many foreign coaches in the T20 tournament © Getty

Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs will guide Sylhet Thunders as head coach in the upcoming edition of Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League, the team director confirmed on Friday. Sylhet Thunders introduced Sarowar Imran as their head coach during the player's draft that was staged on November 17.

However, with this new development taking place Sylhet Thunders decided to make Sarowar as their mentor and advisor while giving the head coach role to the former South African opener.

"Herschelle Gibbs is the head coach of Sylhet Thunders," team director Tanjil Chowdhury told reporters on Friday. "Imran [Sarowar] will be our team advisor and mentor," he said, adding that they are expecting to receive Gibbs in Dhaka on December 8.

Gibbs, who was rated as one of the most talented batsmen of his time and was one of the best fielder in the South African set-up, has the experience of coaching in different franchise-based T20 leagues, including Afghanistan Premier League and Euro T20 League.

Gibbs joins a host of overseas coaches at the tournament, with Paul Nixon taking charge of Chattogram Challengers, while Ottis Gibson, Grant Flower and Owais Shah are the head coaches of Comilla Warriors, Rangpur Rangers and Rajshahi Royas respectively. Khulna Tigers too have a foreign coach in James Foster.

According to Dhaka Platoons officials, the franchise is very happy to have a local coach in Salahuddin. They feel that he has enough experience to guide the side in the tournament considering his past track record. Salahuddin won BPL on two occasions with Comilla Victorians. BCB decided not renew the contract of the franchises for the second cycle this year citing that they are making unreasonable demands.