Ahmed also said that Hathurusinghe was responsible for misconduct as a BCB employee because of the total difference he took. ESPNcricinfo understands that Hathurusinghe’s agreement with the BCB limited its term to 45 days per date, but it took 112 days in 2023 and 59 days until its presentation in 2024.
Top BCB executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury handed over a letter to Hathurusinghe, informing him of the verdict, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, hours before Ahmed’s announcement to the media.
“There were a couple of incidents with the current coach that, for me as a former player, were quite painful,” Ahmed told the media. “As he is not a good example for the Bangladesh team, today we have served him with a show cause notice and a suspension from his duties as head coach. His suspension is for a 48-hour notice period, which we are not required to do. But we did it out of courtesy as he is an international figure. We have suspended him and with immediate effect he will be dismissed.
“There was misconduct with a player, and misconduct as an employee. He also spent more than 3 months [on leave]that is also a huge part of his bad behavior. He informed us scatteredly, in one or two emails, that he has to return home. It may not be for more than three months. As long as I’m president of the board, I won’t do what I need to do. I am guided by some laws. It’s the norm. “So there was once a significant gap in that regard.”
The BCB does not identify the player involved in the incident: “The victim does not feel very comfortable with it”
Ahmed would not name the player involved in the alleged assault incident. “It was a tragic incident for the player in particular. Actually, I’m not protecting anyone, anything else could happen in the heat of the past, but you can’t collide with a player. It’s not activated. That’s the right punishment. “It must have happened at some point in the past,” he said.
“The victim is not very happy about it. Now I cannot mention his name. We can only communicate about the misconduct. This incident should not have happened.”
Ahmed said he had read about the incident before becoming BCB chief and launched an investigation after being elected to the position in August.
“I investigated myself. I told the victim. I told the observers,” Ahmed said. “Any of its variations are already in the registry. [The incident] It was once discussed in a previous log.
“I remember feeling very disappointed when I read about the incident last year. I felt like something should have been done about it at the time. The ICC is pretty firm on racism and abuse. They would be more serious about assault “.
“When I spoke of Hathurusinghe earlier [before being elected BCB president]I spoke as a former player who was evaluating a coach. At that time I said he doesn’t have much more to give to Bangladesh. My decision today is not influenced by personal reasons.
Simmons named after BCB spoke to ‘several coaches’
Ahmed expressed his satisfaction with the appointment of Simmons as interim head coach. He said that they got a coach with a good track record, who has worked in several countries and with several franchises. He said Simmons will be the head coach of the home Test series starting against South Africa starting next week, until the Champions Trophy in February 2025. In this period, Bangladesh will also play an ODI series against Afghanistan and conduct a tour of the West. Indies for a concert in all formats.
“We have appointed Phil Simmons for now. His initial contract is until the Champions Trophy. He was head teacher in several countries. He has an excellent track record. He has worked with many franchises, including tournaments recently such as the Pakistan Super League and the Pakistan Premier League. Cricket.
“He’s had a healthy coaching career. We talked to several coaches and got a hard-working guy.”
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo correspondent in Bangladesh. @isam84
