Chandika Hathurusinghe is known for being a strict disciplinarian, unafraid to speak his mind to players, board officials, or the media. However, during a press conference in Rawalpindi on Monday, the Bangladesh head coach revealed a more vulnerable side.
After answering a few routine questions, Hathurusinghe was asked about his experience in Dhaka, a city recently shaken by political unrest. He had arrived on August 2, when the city was under curfew, and tension gripped the nation. In the days that followed, violence escalated as student protests, which began in July, grew into widespread turmoil. Hathurusinghe stayed at the Amari Hotel in Dhaka's Gulshan area, typically a quiet neighbourhood, but during the protests, even this upscale area was in chaos.
Attempting to respond with his usual composed demeanour, Hathurusinghe became visibly emotional. He struggled to find his words and had to pause to regain his composure. When asked what had triggered such emotion, he spoke about the losses endured by the people of Bangladesh. He expressed his deep sympathy for the families affected, saying, "My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones. It was incredibly difficult… I hope the students' concerns are addressed. It was an unprecedented event, and I wish for the country to return to normal soon."
It is uncommon for Bangladesh’s cricketers and coaches to publicly discuss issues beyond the game, as they usually keep such matters private. However, the unrest back home has been too significant to ignore. Hathurusinghe shared his hope that the Bangladesh cricket team can bring some positive news to a nation troubled by political instability. "Sport has the power to unite and give hope to people," he remarked.
Hathurusinghe also expressed his desire to continue as Bangladesh’s head coach but acknowledged that he would respect the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision if they chose to terminate his contract. Appointed in February 2023, he is reportedly set to stay until the end of the 2025 Champions Trophy. BCB President Nazmul Hassan, who has been notably absent from the public eye for the past two weeks, has been Hathurusinghe’s strongest supporter.
Hathurusinghe stated, "I am under contract until a certain date and look forward to serving my term. If the board changes and the new leadership wants to make adjustments, I’m fine with that. If they wish to continue with me, I am happy to stay." He mentioned that due to the unrest, he was unable to join training in Dhaka, which led to the BCB accepting Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) offer for extra training days in Lahore before the Test series. Hathurusinghe noted that while Bangladesh has brought a well-rounded team, it is more spin-heavy compared to Pakistan's all-pace approach.
Hathurusinghe believes that Bangladesh has sufficient depth in their pace department to capitalise on the conditions expected when the first Test begins on Wednesday. "The Rawalpindi pitch seems more conducive to fast bowling and batting," he observed. "Pakistan has not selected any spinners. We have developed a strong pool of fast bowlers, and if the conditions suit, they will perform well. With Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, we have two world-class all-rounders, and we are well-prepared for whatever comes our way."
Bangladesh’s squad includes pacers Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed, and Taskin Ahmed, although Taskin will only be available for the second Test.
"The fast bowlers performed admirably in the [T20] World Cup under favourable conditions," Hathurusinghe said. "Their progress has been ongoing for the past two years. Though they have not collectively played 20 Tests, they are young and eager compared to Pakistan’s experienced attack. I’m excited to see how they develop."
Bangladesh’s main challenge lies in their batting, which has struggled over the past year. Their latest disappointment came during the T20 World Cup in June. However, Hathurusinghe is optimistic that the pitches in Pakistan could help revive their form.
"Batting has been a concern for some time, but it’s not due to a single factor," he explained. "We often play on result-oriented wickets at home, where 250 can be a winning score. Naturally, this makes batting challenging. I believe the pitches in Pakistan are generally more favourable for batting. It will be a good contest between bat and ball, and I expect us to perform better on these surfaces."