Bangladesh coach suspended after ‘slapping’ player

Bangladesh have replaced their head coach Chandika Hathurusingha after he was accused of slapping a player.

Hathurusingha, the 56-year-old former Sri Lankan international who played 26 Tests for his country, was in his second spell as head coach of the Bangladesh men’s team, but has been suspended for 48 hours for misconduct.

When that 48 hours elapses, his contract will be “terminated immediately” and he will be replaced by Phil Simmons, the former West Indies coach, who takes over as interim head coach for the next few months.

Reports say that Hathurusingha had been subject to a Bangladesh Cricket Board investigation after a player, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, accused him of “inappropriate behaviour”. Nasum alleged Hathurusingha had slapped him.

“There were a few incidents that, as a former cricketer, were painful for me,” BCB president, Faruque Ahmed, said.

“Considering everything, we have issued a show-cause notice and suspended him from his role as coach. After 48 hours, we will proceed with his dismissal. The harassment of a cricketer was one of the reasons. Additionally, taking leave without permission is another issue.”

Bangladesh finished eighth out of 10 teams at the World Cup, enough to qualify for the Champions Trophy ahead of Sri Lanka. The Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan, and Simmons will remain in post until the end of that tournament.

Ahmed took over as president in August this year and in his first press conference in the role said that Bangladesh wanted to “find someone better than” Hathurusingha to coach the national team, indicating a change was likely.

The timing is curious, however. Bangladesh recently won a Test series 2-0 in Pakistan, then lost 2-0 in India, and are due to host South Africa for a two-match series from next Monday.

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