Allan Donald is set to depart from his role as Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach after the World Cup. This decision comes amid public criticism and strained relations following the “timed-out” controversy involving captain Shakib Al Hasan.
Bangladesh will conclude its World Cup campaign against Australia in Pune on Saturday. “I’m done and going home,” quoted the South African Donald in Pune, as reported by Bangladesh’s Daily Star newspaper.
The rapport between Allan Donald, aged 57, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board has deteriorated following his critique of Shakib’s involvement in the “timed-out” controversy with Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews on Monday.
Allan Donald will resign from his role as Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach after the World Cup
In the heated World Cup match in New Delhi, Mathews surpassed the allotted two minutes for a batsman to take strike while adjusting his helmet strapping.
Shakib declined to retract his appeal, leading to Mathews becoming the first player in the 146-year history of international cricket to be declared timed out.
“I think it really overshadowed a clinical performance by Bangladesh. I’m sort of a bit still shocked about it to be honest. It’s just my values that I have as a person and as a cricketer,” Donald told the CricBlog website.
Bangladesh’s cricket authorities were reportedly dissatisfied with Donald’s public criticism and requested a written explanation from him.
The CEO of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, stated that the former bowling great did not express a desire to extend his contract.
“His contract is expiring in any case after the World Cup,” Chowdhury said. “There has not been any progress about a renewal.”
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha declined to comment on Donald’s statements, mentioning that he had not discussed them with him.
“He has done a wonderful job since he has been here and contributed to the success of our fast-bowling unit,” Hathurusingha told reporters in Pune on Friday.
However, he commended the positive influence that the former South African fast bowler has had on the team’s pacemen.
“He’s brought a lot of experience and a lot of personality into the team, he’s been a wonderful coaching addition…he will be missed,” the former Sri Lanka batsman added
Donald took on the role of Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach in March 2022. Previously, he served as South Africa’s bowling coach for four years leading up to the 2015 World Cup and has provided coaching or consultancy services to New Zealand, Australia, England, and Sri Lanka in the past.
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