Bangladesh's T20 World Cup campaign has been rocked by controversy, with the spotlight firmly focused on Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe's perceived negativity and questionable tactics. Former skipper and current BCB director, Khaled Mahmud Sujon, has emerged as Hathurusinghe's most vocal critic, accusing him of undermining the team's confidence and hindering their World Cup aspirations.
Sujon takes particular aim at Hathurusinghe's pre-tournament declaration that reaching the Super Eight would be a success, with anything further considered a "bonus." This cautious approach stands in stark contrast to the bolder ambitions expressed by some players, like leg-spinner Rishad Hussain, who hinted at a desire to reach the semi-finals. This dissonance between coach and players creates a sense of confusion and undermines team spirit.
Sujon further indicts Hathurusinghe's team selection and bowling strategies. The decision to field only two pacers against strong batting lineups like Australia and India raises eyebrows. Sujon argues that this not only weakens the bowling attack but also betrays a lack of faith in Bangladesh's own pace bowlers, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, who are considered world-class talents. Sujon points to Afghanistan's contrasting strategy of opening with two quicks as a case in point.
Sujon criticizes Hathurusinghe's handling of the spin attack. He questions the logic of opening the bowling with Sheikh Mehdi, a less potent spinner compared to Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi. Sujon highlights the delayed introduction of Afghanistan's premier spinner, Rashid Khan, who waited until the eighth over to unleash his magic. This tactical nuance stands in stark contrast to Hathurusinghe's seemingly inflexible approach.
Sujon is also scathing about Bangladesh's inconsistent batting performance. He blames the "bonus" mentality instilled by Hathurusinghe for a timid batting approach. Struggles against a perceived slow wicket against Nepal highlight one end of the spectrum, while a failure to capitalize on a good batting surface later in the tournament exemplifies the other. Sujon suggests this lack of clear intent cost Bangladesh valuable opportunities against teams like the United States and Afghanistan.
With Sujon's public pronouncements and simmering discontent within the team, Hathurusinghe faces a significant challenge. He must address concerns about his tactics, inspire greater confidence in his players, and foster a more attacking mindset if Bangladesh is to salvage their World Cup dreams.
