2024-08-21 09:35:28
Published: 19:33, 19 August 2024 Updated: 20:50, 19 August 2024
There was a wind of change in cricket a long time ago. After the fall of the government, many things have changed in the cricket board. Big changes are coming. Former captain Farooq Ahmed will take over as the president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) within a few days. That process is now underway.
Farooq Ahmed was once the chief selector of BCB. At the time he served, national team coach Chandika Hathurusinghe was in charge at that time. Farooq Ahmed always wanted to work independently in BCB. The controversial two-tier party selection process was introduced in 2016 during his second term as chief selector. In that process, the former captain resigned citing the fear of heavy interference by the board directors in his work.
Hathurusinghe was the ‘father’ of the two-tier party election process. The selectors had to work under him. Farooq Ahmed stepped down due to a clash of personalities. He is now returning as Hathurusingha’s ‘boss’! So the speculation about the future of the Sri Lankan coach has started.
However, Hathurusinghe is quite open minded. If you remove it, it will go away. If not removed, work until the end of the contract. This is what the media said.
“I am not sure what is happening in Bangladesh right now,” Hathurusinghe said at a press conference ahead of the team’s practice session in Pakistan on Monday. To tell my fortune, I am contracted till a certain time. I am interested in working here till then. If there is a change in the board and if the new comers want to change I am ready to accept that decision too. But if they want to work with me I have no objection.’
Hathurusinghe was the head coach of the national team for a total of three years from 2014 to 2017. He was returned for a second term in January 2023. The responsibility is given for two years. Hathrushinghe has come to the financial aspect of this contract quite well. If the board removes him for any reason, he will have to pay the full contract fee. The board made an agreement with him under such conditions. As a result, Hathurusinghe will benefit financially if the board removes him after the Pakistan tour. That is why he wants to spend the end of the contract in Bangladesh.
Yasin/Aminul