Bangladesh have suspended Chandika Hathurusingha from the head coach position on disciplinary grounds. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) didn’t reveal much detail on the incident but BCB President Faruque Ahmed confirmed his sacking on October 15 in a press conference. According to several reports that are coming out to state that Hathurusingha has been suspended after he allegedly slapped a Bangladeshi cricketer during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup that took place in India. It’s worth mentioning that Hathurusingha will be released from his official contract after his suspension. The BCB has announced that Phil Simmons has been appointed as the interim head coach and will lead the team until the 2025 Champions Trophy. Also Read: Shubman Gill is likely to miss the first Test match against New Zealand This was Hathurusingha's second stint as Bangladesh's head coach following his initial tenure that took place from 2014 to 2017, during which the Bangladesh team made significant strides. Under his guidance, they reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup for the first time, advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, and secured memorable home series victories over India, Pakistan, and South Africa in 2015. In his current term, Bangladesh faced disappointing early exits in both recently happened T20 and ODI World Cups. Despite these setbacks, Hathurusingha recently enjoyed a major achievement in his coaching career stint when Bangladesh claimed a 2-0 series win against Pakistan in August 2024. Nevertheless, Hathurusingha and the team have been getting heavy criticism after a humiliating defeat to India during a recent red-ball and white-ball tour. BCB President Faruque Ahmed in a press conference said: "We have served him [Hathurusingha] with a showcase notice and suspension from duty as head coach today. For South Africa, UAE, West Indies and ICC Champions Trophy, we have decided to appoint an interim head coach. Hathusingha has been told to reply to his show-cause notice within 48 hours, and his suspension will come with immediate effect. After that, his contract will be suspended. Phil Simmons has been named the new interim head coach. He will work until the Champions Trophy."