Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) newly appointed president Faruque Ahmed reiterated his stance that Chandika Hathurusingha should not continue as head coach. Faruque Ahmed stated that he will make the final decision on Chandika Hathurusingha’s future after discussing it with his colleagues in the BCB.
BCB appointed Chandika Hathurusingha as head coach of the men’s cricket team in February 2023, with a contract lasting until the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, the team has faced disappointing performances, including group-stage exits in the 2023 Asia Cup, 2023 World Cup, and 2024 T20 World Cup
Faruque Ahmed criticized the decision to reappoint Chandika Hathurusingha as head coach. Ahmed added that Hathurusingha had left Bangladesh in a difficult position in 2017. Faruque said that Bangladesh’s past success under Hathurusingha was due to a collective effort, not just his individual contribution.
“It was a real blunder to bring back Hathurusingha for a second stint. He had left us in trouble the last time he left the job [in 2017]. Bangladesh was a stepping stone for him. He went back to his country, became their head coach. I couldn’t believe that a 25-member board of directors, including the president, could make such a decision. I hope they are realising their mistake,” Faruque said.
“Those who brought him back thought that he was a magician. They thought that only Hathurusinghe created this bubble of success. Cricket is not about magic. Bangladesh’s success is due to a combination of players, coaches, selection committee and even board officials.”
“His credibility and background of what he has done on and off the field, there’s no reason for him to stay [as Bangladesh’s coach],” he said on the YouTube show Not Out Noman.
“You will lose some money [if you sack him], but there will be greater damage by his presence. I had noticed that it is impossible to work in the environment he wants to work in.”
Hathurusingha recently stated that he is willing to step down if the Bangladesh Cricket Board decides to move in a different direction. He mentioned that he would honor his contract until its end. However, he is open to whatever decision the board makes, whether they choose to keep him or not. (CricTracker/Cricinfo)
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