Newly appointed BCB president does not want Hathurusinghe

Before being nominated as the BCB president, Farooq Ahmed made harsh comments about Bangladesh team head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. He said in various interviews that he does not want this Lankan coach in the Bangladesh team.

Farooq officially took over as BCB president on Wednesday. Farooq Ahmed was asked about the future of Hathurusingh in the press conference room of Mirpur Sherebangla Stadium in the afternoon after assuming responsibility.

In the press conference, he said that he still stands by his previous statement about Hathursingh. The newly appointed BCB president said that he will think about the tenure of this coach and whether alternatives are available.

He said, 'I don't actually know how long Chandika Hathurusingha's contract is. But I remain in my previous position (wishing Hathuru farewell). Now that I have the responsibility. Now I will look for alternatives, I will see if I can find someone better than him, if I can find someone of similar quality.'

Hathurusinghe left Bangladesh team in 2017 due to conflict with national team cricketers. Then in February 2023, Hathurusinghe took charge of Bangladesh for the second term. His contract with BCB is till next year's Champions Trophy.

Farooq Ahmed said, “It is difficult to say at the moment whether there will be a change in the position of national team coach or not.” Talk to our colleagues for two or three days. When a coach is brought in, there is definitely a short list of three or four. Whether others can come, or not—that remains to be seen.'

The topic of local coaches also came up in the press conference. In this regard, Farooq Ahmed said, 'I think the local coach is very good. But I shouldn't be the only decision maker. Maybe the responsibility is more on me. Because, I will decide. But you have to talk to others too.'

Bangladesh /SBT