Chandika Hathurusingha openly challenges BCB President Faruque Ahmed to remove him

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has responded to charges pressed at him by newly appointed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed.

The Tigers are currently playing a Test series against Pakistan and are leading the series 1-0.

Addressing reporters in his inaugural press conference BCB President Faruque Ahmed expressed doubts about Hathurusingha’s future as head coach and indicated a thorough review of his tenure.

Ahmed further said that he is willing to reevaluate and reexamine Hathurusingha's stint as Bangladesh coach,

"I am yet to find out about Chandika Hathurusingha's contract. I have to see some stuff officially but I have not moved from my previous stance. I have to speak to my colleague over the next two or three days and see if we can find someone better than him. We have to prepare a shortlist, and see who wants to join us," Faruque said.

Seemingly he was unhappy with Haturisingha being brought back for his second stint as coach with the Bangladesh national cricket team.

He further blamed the BCB administration for bringing him back as the coach of the side once again.

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It Was A Blunder To Bring Chandika Hathurusingha For A Second Stint: BCB President Faruque Ahmed

"It was a real blunder to bring back Hathurusingha for a second stint. He had left us in trouble the last time he left the job [in 2017]. Bangladesh was a stepping stone for him. He went back to his country and became their head coach."

"I couldn't believe that a 25-member board of directors, including the president, could make such a decision. I hope they are realising their mistake," he said further.

"Those who brought him back thought that he was a magician. They thought that only Hathurusingha created this bubble of success."

"Cricket is not about magic. Bangladesh's success is due to a combination of players, coaches, selection committee, and even board officials," he added.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh coach has responded to the strong criticism against him saying that he is willing to meet the BCB President and discuss the issues with him.

"I understand that when new leadership takes over, they bring their own perspectives, but I will be eager to get the opportunity to speak with them—that’s my first priority."

"Secondly, my job is to prepare the team as best as I can. We've put in a lot of hard work over the last few months, and our focus now is on the next game," Hathurusingha said.

Bangladesh as said above is leading the Test series against Pakistan after winning the first Test by 10 wickets. This is Bangladesh's second win in this WTC campaign. They have lost one Test match against the Kiwis and two against Sri Lanka previously in this campaign.

Having taken the lead in the series against Pakistan, they have an excellent opportunity to win the Test series against Pakistan by winning the second Test also in Karachi starting from August 30.

The Tigers then travel to India for a two-match Test series and it will be the real Test for Chandika Hathurusingha and his side. They play two more Test matches against West Indies to wrap up the year.

Faruque Ahmed is a former Bangladesh captain and has taken over from the former BCB chief with an instant impact on his administration. He played international cricket for a decade for Bangladesh from 1988 to 1999.

He became captain of the national team in the 1993-94 season and was part of the Bangladesh team that played in the 1999 ODI World Cup.

Meanwhile, former BCB President Nazmul Hasan was replaced by Faruque Ahmed on August 21. Hasan had to step down on account of the current political crisis that has been going on in Bangladesh with the toppling of the reigning government which was Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party.

With Bangladesh's political scenario in tatters, the first Test win by Bangladesh should come as a relief for the national team fans.

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