BCB forms probe committee to evaluate WC performance

UNB, Dhaka :
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has hastily convened a committee to scrutinize the performance of the Bangladesh cricket team in the recently-concluded ICC Cricket World Cup (WC).

This decision comes in the wake of allegations that the Head Coach of Bangladesh’s National team, Chandika Hathurusingha, physically assaulted a player during the tournament, as reported by a private television channel.

It’s not clear if the revelation has prompted the BCB to form a three-member committee, comprising Enayet Hossain Siraj (Convener), Mahbubul Anam (member) and Akram Khan (member), all directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The allegation of assault surfaced after a private TV channel, Ekattor TV, reported that Hathurusingha slapped a player during the match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in the World Cup.

According to the report, Hathurusingha instructed a player who was not part of the playing XI to carry a water bottle to the field.

The player’s delayed compliance, around 30 seconds, reportedly angered Hathurusingha, leading to the alleged physical altercation.

Members of the coaching staff immediately questioned Hathurusingha’s actions.

When asked about the incident, Akram Khan, the board director and former Bangladesh captain, stated that they would inquire with the individuals involved in the alleged incident.

“We will assess those first,” he told reporters on Wednesday in Mirpur. “If the incidents reported are true, we have to find out the reasons behind that.

To us, a junior player is as important for the team as the coach. We will discuss, ask questions, and whoever is found guilty, we will report to the board.”

Despite repeated attempts, at least two board members declined to respond to questions from UNB on the matter.

Bangladesh won only two matches in this year’s World Cup in India out of nine matches they played. According to Shakib Al Hasan, who led Bangladesh in the World Cup, it was the worst-ever World Cup performance in Bangladesh’s history.