Chandika Hathurusingha, former Bangladesh national cricket team coach and former Sri Lankan Test batter, has opened up about the dramatic and traumatic circumstances surrounding his controversial exit from the Bangladesh national team last year.

Hathurusingha, who has lived in Sydney for 15 years and previously mentored Australian stars like Pat Cummins, was abruptly sacked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) during the 2023 World Cup. The BCB alleged that he assaulted bowler Nasum Ahmed in the dugout during Bangladesh’s match against New Zealand in Chennai—a claim Hathurusingha vehemently denies.

“I’ve never had a fight with a player. I don’t show emotion to my players,” he told Australian outlet CodeSport. “Maybe I’ve kicked a dustbin out of frustration—what coach hasn’t? But this is completely different.”

Assistant coaches Rangana Herath and Nic Pothas, who were both present at the time of the alleged incident, have publicly supported Hathurusingha, dismissing the claim as baseless. “There is no way that ever happened,” Pothas said. “It’s likely a grudge from someone who didn’t realise how far this would go.” Herath added, “Slapping and tapping are completely different. I was there. Nothing like that happened.”

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also stated he was unaware of any such incident, and Nasum himself has never publicly commented. In fact, Hathurusingha claims Nasum invited him to his house months after the World Cup—a gesture inconsistent with someone who felt assaulted.

The fallout from the unproven allegations has been devastating. Despite his extensive résumé—two stints coaching Sri Lanka, two terms with Bangladesh, and roles with NSW and Sydney Thunder—Hathurusingha says he’s struggled to find new opportunities. “This is my career. They ruined it without even giving me a chance to defend myself,” he said.

Adding to the suspicion, BCB President Faruque Ahmed had previously expressed opposition to Hathurusingha’s appointment and had publicly vowed to remove him if given the chance. One day before Bangladesh’s historic Test win against Pakistan in August 2024, Faruque reiterated his desire to sack the coach. Within hours of issuing a breach notice, the BCB flew in replacement Phil Simmons—well before Hathurusingha’s 48-hour response window had lapsed.

The dismissal also endangered his safety. Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, the BCB removed Hathurusingha’s security detail. “I was holed up in a hotel watching looting and violence from my window,” he recalled. “The CEO told me, ‘You should go. Don’t tell anyone.’ That’s when I knew I was in danger.”

With his security pulled, he scrambled to arrange an escape. “At the airport, I was in a cap and hoodie. I feared I could be arrested. Then, at the security check, an air force officer said, ‘Coach, I’m sorry you’re leaving.’ That moment hit me hard.”

Despite everything, Hathurusingha is still holding on to hope. “I’ve missed so many opportunities. But I know who I am. The people I’ve worked with know who I am. And that’s what I’ll lean on.”