Does Hathurusingha need to go?
As the search for a new Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president was underway, former national team captain Faruque Ahmed’s name was at the forefront.
In an earlier interview, the former chief selector hinted that if he took charge as the BCB president, he would not retain Chandika Hathurusingha as the national team’s head coach.
Faruque stated that he saw no reason to keep the Sri Lankan coach in the position.
A few days later, his words became significant when he was elected as the new BCB president after Nazmul Hassan Papon resigned by email during a meeting at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Upon taking the helm of the country’s cricket regulatory body, Faruque reiterated his stance regarding Hathurusingha.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Faruque discussed Hathurusingha in response to multiple questions.
“I don’t know the exact terms of Chandika Hathurusingha’s contract. I stand by what I said earlier. I haven’t changed my position,” Faruque explained.
He added that he would review the situation formally, evaluate alternatives, and make decisions based on what’s best for the team.
Hathurusingha’s current contract with the BCB runs until the next Champions Trophy. When asked if a coaching change could happen before then, Faruque replied, “It’s hard to say right now. I’ll talk with colleagues and assess the situation.”
Now, the question is, why is the new president so adamant to get rid of the Sri Lankan?
Is Hathurasingha that bad?
Is he the only problem that Bangladesh cricket is facing currently?
Where does Hathurasingha stand in the midst of coaches who managed Bangladesh previously?
Let’s have a look.
As the stats show, Hathurusingha’s tenure is widely regarded as transformative, especially for major victories against top-tier teams.
Compared to other coaches, Hathurusingha’s record of leading the team to the 2015 ICC World Cup quarterfinals and Asia Cup finals is one of the highlights in Bangladesh’s cricket history.
Former national team player Mohammad Ashraful believes that Hathurasingha is not as bad a coach as he is often portrayed to be. Speaking to The Business Standard, Ashraful stated, “Hathurusingha is a very good coach. He understands what the cricket culture in Bangladesh should be like. Personally, I think he is an excellent coach.”
He also shared his thoughts on the recent comments made by the new BCB president about Hathurusingha, adding, “The board president can explain why he said that better. Hathurusingha has worked according to the previous board’s wishes, and he will work according to the new board’s desires. The feelings of the two boards are different. But as a planner, Hathurusingha is good.”
The Bangladesh team is currently touring Pakistan, with Hathurusingha still at the helm.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Sri Lankan coach’s tenure with the team is nearing its end.
