Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) newly elected president, Faruque Ahmed has made his stance clear: Despite the fact that Chandika Hathurusinghe has been appointed for a couple of years head coach of the team, his days on this position may be numbered. The director who had voiced fears over Hathurusinghe’s return before taking up the post said the Tigers require a new head in view of impending demanding assignments.
“I am yet to find out about Chandika Hathurusinghe’s contract,” Faruque told reporters at Sher-E-Bangla stadium. “I have to see some stuff officially, but I have not moved from my previous stance. I need to speak to my colleagues in the next two or three days and see if we can find someone better than him. We need to prepare a shortlist and see who is willing to join us,”
Chandika Hathurusinghe’s Second Stint: Contract Issues and Team Discontent
“It was a real blunder to bring back Hathurusinghe for a second stint,” Faruque stated. “He left us in trouble the last time he resigned. Bangladesh was a stepping stone for him; he returned to his country and became their head coach. I couldn’t believe that a 25-member board, including the president, could make such a decision. I hope they are now realizing their mistake.”
Reappointment Chaos: Fallout and Unrest in the Team
Faruque pointed out that organisational instability set in immediately after Hathurusinghe was reappointed back to the board. Tamim Iqbal took a brief retirement and then there was Shakib Al Hasan versus Tamim disagreement in the dressing room. Bowling coach Allan Donald also resigned from his post and Bangladesh’s poor show in the T20 World Cup raised many eyebrows over Hathurusinghe’s appointments.
“Those who brought him back thought he was a magician,” Faruque continued. “They believed Hathurusinghe created the bubble of success. But cricket is not about magic—it’s the result of a combination of players, coaches, the selection committee, and even board officials.”
Shakib’s Uncertain Future: Fitness and Participation Concerns Amid Political Turmoil
Still, besides coaching issues, Faruque also expressed concern about the fitness and availability of star all rounder Shakib Al Hasan who was recently an Awami League member of parliament until the government’s fall earlier this month.
During the political crisis, Shakib’s position within the national side remains unclear and during October, Faruque plans to explain his participation status given two consecutive home Tests.
“We will give a lot of importance to understanding whether Shakib can play while staying outside Bangladesh,” Faruque explained. “It should have been a policy matter even before [he became an MP] that he wouldn’t be allowed to do politics.”