The first question that Chandika Hathurusinghe faced in his introduction to media on Tuesday was which team he was supporting in the World Cup 2014.
A bit awkward question for someone who came here to take the charge of the national cricket team, but Hathurusinghe was not the one to duck in a full toss delivery.An acclaimed former Test opener, Hathurusinghe swatted it over the fence, saying that he did not have any favourite team as his motherland Sri Lanka was not playing in Brazil.
The unexpected loose delivery perhaps changed his mood and Hathurusinghe treated all other questions that followed with equal composure saying that he did not have any specific goal for the Tigers during his two-year stint as coach.
‘The overall goal is to improve the team as a whole and if I can help the organisation to get better and support the team. That’s my main concern,’ the former Sri Lankan batsman said.
‘There should be a continuous success, not one or two series wins. My main goal is to make sure that when my two years is finished, Bangladesh are in a good position to win matches at home and away.’
Unlike some of his predecessors, the 45-year-old Sri Lankan, who replaced Australian Shane Jurgensen, added that it would be a dangerous idea
to set any number for Bangladesh ranking-wise as the resources in the 10th ranked Test country are limited.
‘It is a very dangerous thing to do [to eye any particular ranking] because we don’t know what we have. There are no numbers,’ he said.
‘As long as we improve as a team, and if we train properly and keep the right environment for players to develop as individuals as well as players, I think the result will take care of itself.’
Hathurusinghe’s appointment came just eight months from the World Cup which will be held in February–March 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.
The former Sri Lankan batsman, who has a long coaching experience in Australia, said that the challenge for all sub-continent sides in Down Under would be huge.
‘The main thing is that we get the right combination and be prepared to play in Australia and New Zealand,’ he said.
‘It is going to be a challenge for sub-continent teams with the condition.
‘So if we prepare intelligently enough or specifically enough, we will go far. I am happy to be in the second round. That’s my first goal.’
Hathurusinghe starts his new assignment with a three-match one-day international series against India next week.
India will arrive in Dhaka on June 13 to play the three matches at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on June 15, 17 and 19.
-With New Age input
