What says Hathurusingha about BCB’s allegations

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended Chandika Hathurusingha Hathurusingha over the allegations of assaulting left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and taking excessive leave without permission.

On October 15, BCB President Faruque Ahmed revealed that the board had issued Hathurusingha a show-cause notice before suspending him for 48 hours, during which the formal termination process was initiated.

On October 17, a virtual board meeting approved his suspension.  

Chandika Hathurusingha has categorically denied the allegations of misconduct that led to his dismissal as the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team.

In a written statement sent to media houses, Hathurusingha refuted claims of assaulting left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and rejected accusations regarding taking excessive leave without permission. 

“The alleged incident purportedly occurred in the players' dugout or dressing room, a location that is under constant surveillance during World Cup matches. With over 40 to 50 cameras capturing every moment of the game, I didn't get an opportunity to cross-examine the accuser nor any witness, if at all there was one,” Hathurusingha stated.

He also pointed out the delayed timing of the accusations, stating that it was surprising the player involved hadn't reported the incident immediately. “If the incident was as serious as claimed, it is perplexing that the player did not report the incident to the team manager or any authority immediately following the alleged event. If a complaint was made, I wonder why I was not questioned or approached for my side of the story at that time,” he said, suggesting that the allegations seemed to have been fabricated months later by an individual on YouTube.

Addressing the claims about taking excessive leave, Hathurusingha explained that he had always sought and received approval from the BCB for any leave he took. “At no time did the BCB tell me they were unhappy with my leave situation. Every time I asked for leave, it was granted by the BCB. I never went on leave without their authorisation,” Hathurusingha clarified. He further argued that public holidays, such as Eid, and Fridays, which are official rest days in Bangladesh, were not accounted for in the accusations against him. “As I understand it, according to Bangladesh labour law, I am entitled to 'time in lieu' for work done on Fridays. Additionally, as a BCB employee, I am entitled to leave on Fridays and a half-day off on Thursdays,” he added.

Hathurusingha also pointed out that it is a common practice for foreign coaches to take leave during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and such leave should not have been counted as additional time off.