The giant Zimbabwean however can feel extremely lucky with the manner in which he bowed out of Bangladesh cricket after unceremonious exit of all the foreign recruits starting from Indian coach Mohindar Amarnath to Pakistani Mohsin Kamal.

Dudhia took over the post ahead of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa following a prescription from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The world cricket governing body strongly recommended for the appointment of an administrative chief while awarding Bangladesh Test status in June 2000.

Although Dudhia tried his best to keep a definite distance from the press during his two-year that he described as a 'wonderful association' with Bangladesh cricket, the soft-spoken cricket organiser broke down at least twice during his farewell speech at a briefing at a local hotel on Monday.

Parting is always painful for anybody and Dudhia was no exception.

"It was a wonderful experience for me to work with Bangladesh cricket. I'm not a fool to say I have done everything that was needed to give the board a professional outlook. But I'm leaving with the satisfaction that I have put things in order from where one can only look forward," said the middle-aged Dudhia, whose last wish to The Daily Star was not to disclose his age.

"Will you please do me a favour. Don't disclose my age," said Dudhia who along with his wife will take a long flight back to Harare on Thursday.

But like many Zimbabweans Dudhia, who has his two children studying in Cape Town, was not in a mood to settle in Robert Mugabe's land.

Although Dudhia was diplomatic when asked whether he was interested to continue after his contract expired on September 30, the Zimbabwean however strongly vouched for the existence of a CEO for a smooth functioning of the board.

"I can only say that there should an administrative post even if a general secretary holds the executive power," he said.

But after the board elections it apparently decided against a CEO since the very post does not exist in the present constitution.

Dudhia also refuted claims of over-spending on an expanding management set-up.

"Let me ask you if an organisation is earning five million (dollars) apart from those big bills from the ICC and spending only 5 per cent as establishment expenditure. Is it over-spending?"said the former right-arm fast bowler.

While Dudhia was all for a CEO, BCB's joint-secretary Reazuddin al Mamun said that they have started the search for a person to act as an administrative officer.

"We are looking for a suitable candidate hopefully from within Bangladesh to fill the role of Dudhia", said Mamun, who is also the chairman of the media committee.

BCB vice-president Shah Nurul Kabir Shaheen was also present at the briefing.