The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially sacked head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe following allegations of player misconduct and excessive leave violations during his tenure. Hathurusinghe, who returned for his second stint as Bangladesh’s head coach in February 2023, has been suspended for 48 hours and is set to be terminated immediately after that period. He has also been served with a show-cause notice.
Alleged Player Assault
The catalyst for Hathurusinghe’s dismissal stems from an incident during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. According to reports, Hathurusinghe allegedly hit a player during a drinks break in Bangladesh’s match against New Zealand in Chennai. The incident occurred when the player, tasked with delivering drinks to his teammates in the middle, took slightly longer to do so. Witnesses reportedly informed BCB officials of the assault weeks later in Kolkata, prompting an internal investigation.
BCB President Faruque Ahmed, speaking to the media, expressed disappointment over the incident. He revealed that after being elected to his position in August 2023, he had personally launched an inquiry, speaking with the player involved and other eyewitnesses. Although the board has not named the player due to privacy concerns, Ahmed stressed that such behavior is unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances.
“It was a sad incident for the particular player,” Ahmed said. “I am not defending anyone, but you cannot hit a player. It is not on. This is the right punishment, and it should have happened some time ago.”
Excessive Leave Violations
In addition to the assault allegations, Hathurusinghe was found guilty of violating his contract by taking excessive leave. Under the terms of his contract with the BCB, Hathurusinghe was entitled to 45 days of leave per year, yet he took 112 days in 2023 and 59 days in 2024. The board described this as a significant breach of conduct.
Ahmed emphasized that the lengthy absences were a major factor in the board’s decision to terminate Hathurusinghe’s employment, calling it a serious violation of the rules. “Even as a board president, I cannot do what I want. I am guided by rules. It can’t be for more than three months,” Ahmed said, addressing the breach.
New Interim Head Coach: Phil Simmons
Following Hathurusinghe’s suspension, the BCB has appointed former West Indies coach Phil Simmons as Bangladesh’s interim head coach. Simmons, who has a wealth of experience coaching in various international teams and franchise leagues, will take charge from the upcoming Test series against South Africa. His contract will run through the Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 2025.
BCB President Faruque Ahmed expressed confidence in Simmons’ abilities, stating that the board had spoken to several potential candidates before settling on Simmons, who boasts an impressive coaching resume, including stints with Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, and the West Indies, as well as experience in franchise cricket.
“We have appointed Phil Simmons for the interim period, and we are happy to have him,” said Ahmed. “He has a very good track record and has worked with many franchises. We believe he is the right choice to guide the team through the upcoming period.”
Hathurusinghe’s Time in Charge
Hathurusinghe’s tenure as Bangladesh’s head coach saw mixed results, with some notable achievements but also disappointing performances. Under his leadership, Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test series win in Pakistan in August 2023, a historic 2-0 victory. However, this success was overshadowed by lackluster results in subsequent series, including a 2-0 Test and 3-0 T20I series loss against India.
Despite the setback, the BCB is optimistic that Simmons’ appointment will help the team bounce back, starting with the Test series against South Africa next week.
As Bangladesh prepares for a busy schedule leading up to the Champions Trophy, the board is looking to stabilize the team under new leadership and restore confidence both on and off the field.
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