Chandika Hathurusinghe, recently dismissed as Bangladesh’s head coach, has accused Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed of making premeditated allegations against him. The BCB terminated Hathurusinghe's contract on October 17, citing misconduct, including player assault and breach of employment terms. Phil Simmons has been appointed as his successor until the Champions Trophy in 2025.
In a statement to ESPNcricinfo, Hathurusinghe expressed shock over the allegations and questioned the motives behind his removal. "On the first day of the new president's term, he openly expressed a desire to replace me, even acknowledging potential financial implications for the BCB. I was given a 'show cause notice' just four hours before another head coach was appointed, despite having 48 hours to respond," he said.
The BCB accused Hathurusinghe of assaulting a player during the 2023 ODI World Cup and exceeding his annual leave entitlement. Hathurusinghe refuted these claims, stating that the incident was not reported by the player to the team manager and only surfaced months later through a YouTube narrative.
"The alleged incident occurred in the dugout or dressing room, areas under constant surveillance during World Cup matches," Hathurusinghe explained. "If the matter was serious, why was it not reported immediately? The delayed allegations raise questions about the narrative’s credibility."
Regarding the leave issue, Hathurusinghe clarified that all his leave was approved by BCB officials, including the CEO and the cricket operations chairman. "I consistently sought and received approval for my leave. The BCB never indicated dissatisfaction with my leave arrangements, which accounted for public holidays and time-in-lieu for work done on Fridays, as per Bangladesh labor laws."
Hathurusinghe also highlighted security concerns as a reason for his departure from Bangladesh following political changes in August. He criticized the BCB’s treatment of employees under the new administration, stating, "The combination of these allegations, the quick appointment of a new coach, and the lack of due process raises serious concerns about the new management’s motivations."
This was Hathurusinghe’s second stint as Bangladesh coach. Initially appointed in 2014, he resigned in 2017 before returning in February 2023. His contract, which was set to run for two years, was terminated with five months remaining. Hathurusinghe has pledged to defend his reputation and cooperate fully with investigations, asserting that the truth will ultimately prevail.
Updated on 18th October, 2024