Sports Desk: Chandika Hathurusinghe was sacked as Bangladesh’s head coach before completing his second stint, accused of breaching the code of conduct by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The dismissal came during a turbulent period in Bangladesh, marked by political instability following a student-led uprising.

Hathurusinghe, gripped by fear after his sacking, recently shared his ordeal with Australian sports website Code Sports.

Recalling his final conversation with the BCB CEO, he said, “The CEO advised me to leave and not inform anyone at the board. He asked if I had a ticket. It was a warning sign, and I was somewhat panicked.”

He added, “Normally, I’d have a driver and security when moving around. The CEO asked if I needed them, and I said no, as I had my driver. I went to a bank to withdraw money before leaving.

While there, I saw breaking news on TV about my sacking for allegedly assaulting a cricketer. The bank manager insisted on escorting me out, saying it wasn’t safe due to potential public backlash.”

Hathurusinghe admitted to being terrified, fearing arrest at the airport. “A friend dropped me off at midnight. I wore a cap and hoodie, with no protection.

I was scared they might arrest me, especially after a minister was pulled off a plane and assaulted. At the airport, an air force officer apologized, saying, ‘Sorry, coach, I’m really sorry you have to go.’”

The Sri Lankan coach claimed the BCB tried to ruin his career by alleging he slapped cricketer Nasum Ahmed during the World Cup. “Coaching was everything to me. They ended my career with this accusation, without giving me a chance to defend myself.

I’ve never had a confrontation with a player or shown emotion. Maybe I kicked a dustbin in frustration, which coaches do. But the incident was misrepresented,” he said, noting lost opportunities since October.

Assistant coach Nic Pothas dismissed the allegations, telling Code Sports, “Hathurusinghe is a highly experienced, professional coach. If he had such tendencies, he wouldn’t have lasted this long. The accuser likely didn’t expect the story to spread so fast, causing chaos and complicating Hathurusinghe’s life.”