In a significant move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended Chandika Hathurusingha from his role as the head coach of the national team. The decision was confirmed by BCB president Faruque Ahmed on October 15, 2024.
Hathurusingha, who was in his second stint as Bangladesh’s coach, faced the suspension following the team’s dismal performances in the recent series against India, where Bangladesh was whitewashed in both the Test and T20I formats.
Moreover, under his leadership, Bangladesh struggled in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, leading to widespread criticism. Reports suggest that the suspension stems from an incident where Hathurusingha allegedly slapped a player during the 2023 World Cup in India.
BCB Appoints Phil Simmons as Interim Coach
Following Hathurusingha’s suspension, the BCB appointed Phil Simmons as the interim head coach. Simmons will guide the team through upcoming series, including their matches against South Africa, the UAE, the West Indies, and the ICC Champions Trophy.
Faruque Ahmed, speaking to The Daily Star, stated that Hathurusingha had been served a show-cause notice and given 48 hours to respond. “Hathurusingha’s suspension comes into effect immediately, and his contract will be terminated following this period,” Ahmed said. Simmons will assume his coaching duties until the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, providing the team with stability during this transitional phase.
Bangladesh Focuses on Upcoming South Africa Series
With Hathurusingha’s departure and Simmons taking charge, Bangladesh will now focus on their upcoming Test series against South Africa. The first Test match is set to take place in Mirpur on October 21, followed by the second Test in Chattogram on October 29.
This series will be a critical test for the Bangladeshi team as they aim to recover from recent setbacks and rebuild under new leadership. The BCB’s swift decision to appoint an interim coach reflects their intent to address the team’s recent underperformance and ensure a stronger showing in the upcoming international fixtures.
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