Not one, not two. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Farooq Ahmed’s allegation against Hathurusingh. All complaints, big and small, are filed against the most successful coach of Bangladesh.
No one hesitates to call Hathurusinghe a success on the field. But everyone questions about his behavior on and off the field. The Sri Lankan coach used to ‘manage’ former board president Nazmul Hasan Papon. He was out of touch.
But after the fall of the government, everything changed when Nazmul Hasan lost the responsibility of the board. Farooq Ahmed expressed his negative thoughts about Hathurusinghe soon after taking charge. He also said that he does not have much to offer as a coach. However, after winning the series against Pakistan, he also gave the coach credit for the victory. But Farooq’s words also made it clear that the board’s intention was to drop him.
After India’s failure in the series, that discussion began to fizzle out. However, BCB did not fire Hathurusinghe due to his performance. Allegations of irregularities against him. That is why it is said to show the reason by mourning. BCB chief Farooq said in a press conference on Tuesday, ‘Regarding our current coach… there have been two or three incidents, which were actually very painful for me, as a former cricketer. Not a very good thing for the team either. Considering that, we have served him with a show cause notice and suspension from duty as head coach today.’
Complaining against him, Farooq Ahmed said, “From the day I entered into this matter… I read it in the newspaper before, I knew it lightly… I felt really bad from the first day after taking charge. Then it was felt that something (action) should be taken in this regard. Because, racism, abuse, these are now dealt with by ICC strongly and will look more seriously if something like physical attack (assault). It’s a big deal for that boy… a national cricketer….’
‘We are human… not defending anyone, hit of the moment can be anything. But you cannot physically hurt a national cricketer at any stage. Its punishment is like that, which happened. This is what should have happened. Should have been earlier. Now at least we have been able to do it, I am happy as a former cricketer and former captain.’ – he added.
Talking about not taking leave as per the contract, Farooq Ahmed also said, ‘The time he spent (leave), it is extra… He spent more than three months. That too is part of misconduct. You have mentioned separately in one or two mails that you need to go… (on vacation) or what… but these should not be for more than three months. That was a great deal of misconduct. Because, we should all have accountability.’
“As the head of the board, I am also responsible. We have to obey some rules. That too has been seriously breached. In that case, it can be said that two things have happened here – misconduct with a player and misconduct as an employee. Both were taken into account by us and explained to him very well,’ added Farooq.
It is good to inform that Farooq Ahmed had no official or informal meeting or talk with Hathurusingh after taking charge as the board president. Farooq Ahmed’s estrangement from Hathurusingha was heard when he was in charge as a selector. Farooq Ahmed claimed that they did not have any effect to remove him from his duties.
The board appointed Phil Simmons to replace Hathurusingha. Excited to have him, Farooq Ahmed said, ‘I spoke to three or four coaches, who I thought was the best… What happens, I think, when you’re a superstar as a coach, is how much focus is on the work… rather than the ones who are really hardworking. … I’ve seen him (Simmons), the way he works… when Zimbabwe came to play, met in person, ever discussed, how he thinks, how he motivates (the team), I like to see that.’
He is scheduled to reach Dhaka on Wednesday (October 16) morning. After taking charge of the upcoming South Africa series, Simmons will be in charge until the Champions Trophy in February-March.
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