In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has expressed his intention to honor his contract with the men’s national cricket team until 2025, despite the recent political upheaval in the country. The Bangladesh Cricket Board may undergo significant changes following the turmoil. Hathurusingha, aged 55, stated to reporters that he is committed to fulfilling his contract term and is open to any decisions the new board members may make.
He also extended his sympathies to families affected by recent events. Hathurusingha is currently preparing his team for the first match of a two-game test series against Pakistan, set to commence on Wednesday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Having been appointed as Bangladesh’s coach across all formats in early 2023 for a two-year tenure, Hathurusingha previously coached the team from 2014 to 2017 before taking on the role of Sri Lanka’s coach.
The recent unrest in Bangladesh disrupted the test team’s training, leading to their readiness being affected. As a result, players received additional training in Lahore upon their arrival in Pakistan last Tuesday. Additionally, six Bangladeshi test players had a practice game against Pakistan Shaheens in Islamabad, which was unfortunately disrupted by weather conditions.
Bangladesh’s test squad features renowned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was serving as a lawmaker in the government of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina but was away in Canada when she resigned earlier this month.
For the first test, Pakistan has selected fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, and Mohammad Ali in its playing XI, having excluded spinner Abrar Ahmed and newcomer Kamran Ghulam.
The second test is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi on August 30.