Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha suspended for slapping player during 2023 World Cup

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusingha on disciplinary grounds following allegations of assaulting a player during the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup. Hathurusingha, who was suspended for 48 hours, is expected to face termination upon his return. The BCB has also issued him a show-cause notice and is investigating the accusations further.

According to BCB president Faruque Ahmed, Hathurusingha’s suspension arises from “two counts of misconduct”—one involving alleged physical assault on a player, and the other due to an excessive number of unauthorized leaves that exceeded his contractual limits. This disciplinary action follows a string of disappointing performances under Hathurusingha’s leadership, particularly in the recent World Cup in India, where Bangladesh failed to secure a single victory.

The veteran coach, who began his second stint with Bangladesh in February 2023, struggled to produce positive results, aside from a 2-0 Test series victory against Pakistan—Bangladesh’s first-ever overseas Test series win in 15 years. However, they were soon whitewashed by India, losing both the Test and T20I series without securing a single match. These consecutive losses raised questions about the team's direction and performance under his leadership.

BCB has already lined up former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons to serve as interim head coach until the Champions Trophy next February. Simmons brings vast experience and a reputation for steadying teams, and he’ll be tasked with restoring momentum and preparing Bangladesh for upcoming major tournaments. His appointment aims to stabilize the team and instill consistency in the lead-up to the next major ICC event.