Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury revealed yesterday that the board is currently looking for a new head coach for the Bangladesh national team who is 'similar to Chandika Hathurusingha'.
"We are looking at overall [performance] as we had an experience with Hathurusingha and got a flavour from him. We are looking for someone like Hathurusingha with the type of method and technique so we are taking that as a high profile. Mainly we are focusing on profile rather than only going for big names and are more interested in their coaching career," Nizamuddin told reporters at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur.
Nizamuddin added that the BCB is trying to rope in a new foreign coach ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka in January but most of the high profile candidates are otherwise engaged until after the 2019 World Cup in England. Meanwhile, BCB president Nazmul Hassan informed earlier that there is a good chance that Khaled Mahmud will become the interim head coach until they find a suitable replacement for the demanding position.
Nizamuddin also revealed that the board is indeed still in touch with Hathurusingha and that the training plans devised by the Sri Lankan for after the Bangladesh Premier League remain intact. He went on to say that the BCB expects to receive a report of the South Africa series from Hathurusingha before completing the final formalities of his departure.
However, Nizamuddin believes that, regardless of the consequences, there was nothing at all unprofessional about Hathurusingha's exit.
"We had a contract with him till the 2019 World Cup but there was also a three month notice period in the contract which was applicable at any given time. I don't think there was anything unprofessional. I think there was no 'best time' for him to resign by applying the three month notice period. So I think this was the best time for him to resign," said Nizamuddin to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium.
After news emerged that Hathurusingha had tendered his resignation halfway through the South Africa tour, questions arose over the Sri Lankan's professionalism as he was contracted to coach the Tigers till the 2019 World Cup.
Hathurusingha, who emailed his letter of resignation after Bangladesh's defeat in the second Test on October 8, was expected to return to the country and personally inform the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about his reasons behind the decision. However, the BCB is still awaiting Hathurusingha's arrival.
Reports then began to circulate that Hathuruisngha was all set to become the next head coach of Sri Lanka. This information turned out to be true though as Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala confirmed it when he sent a letter to BCB president Hassan seeking a full release from any current contractual obligations, on behalf of Hathuruisngha, last week.
