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Chandika Hathurusingha's Reappointment as Bangladesh Coach Sparks Debates


image-ldmzumbsChandika Hathurusingha | PC: Twitter

The appointment of Chandika Hathurusingha as Bangladesh's all format coach has elicited mixed reactions within the country. For the uninitiated, Hathurusingha has been appointed as the all-format coach of Bangladesh for the second time.

Hathurusingha, who resigned from the post in October 2017 has signed a two-year agreement with the board this time around. He previously held the job for three years, from 2014 to 2017, before departing for Sri Lanka. 

The President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nazmul Hassan has confirmed that Chandika Hathurusingha's appointment means S Sriram is no longer in the running for the T20I coaching role. 

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza opened up on the development, stating that the way Hathurusingha left the job in 2017 left a poor lasting impact on Bangladesh. He also feels that there would not have been a problem had Hathurusingha left the job properly like Jamie Siddons. 

Here's what Mashrafe Mortaza told Prothom Alo:  

"Considering our Test-playing nation's stature, this is certainly not a good example. Jamie Siddons was also brought back. They are two of the best coaches in terms of technical and tactical aspects that I have seen."

"There wouldn't have been a problem had he (Hathurusingha) left properly like Siddons, who wanted to stay back as Bangladesh's batting coach. Hathurusingha left in the middle of his contracted period. He didn't pick up the phone of our board president, nor did he reply to his SMS. He left suddenly. There's always the question of respect." 

Hathurusingha has the quality that's needed for the players: Jalal Yunus

Meanwhile, Jalal Yunus, the BCB's cricket operations chairman, thinks otherwise about the development. Yunus feels that Hathurusingha's prior knowledge of Bangladesh's team and culture, along with his two-year commitment, will help their team proper and move in the right direction. 

"We are happy. He has worked here before so he won't need a lot of time to adjust here. He knows the players and the environment. He is a good coach. He has the quality that's needed for the players."

"He has always shown interest in Bangladesh cricket. I hope this time he will stay long and keep the contractual commitment. Judging by what he has told us, we expect him to work dedicatedly for the next two years."


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