Hashan Tillakaratne Steps Down as Bangladesh Women's Head Coach
Author: Joy Sarcar
Updated At:
Hashan Tillakaratne, the head coach of the Bangladesh Women's national cricket team, has announced his decision to step down from his position following the team’s disappointing tour of the West Indies. The Bangladesh team endured a tough series, losing all three T20 matches and the subsequent ODIs by a 2-1 margin. This poor performance led to Tillakaratne's decision to end his tenure after a two-year stint.
Tillakaratne took over as head coach in October 2022 under a two-year contract, which was later extended to cover the West Indies tour. His departure marks the conclusion of a challenging period for the Bangladesh Women's team, which, despite a few notable victories, struggled to make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Challenges and Achievements During Tillakaratne's Tenure
Under Tillakaratne's leadership, the Bangladesh Women's team did experience some notable successes. These included an historic series win against Pakistan at home, and a memorable draw against a full-strength India side in 2023. The team also managed to secure victories in away matches, including a T20I win in Sri Lanka and both an ODI and T20I win in South Africa.
However, the team's inability to secure consistent performances on the global stage, particularly in major tournaments, has overshadowed these successes. Bangladesh competed in two T20 World Cups during Tillakaratne's tenure but struggled to make a significant impact, with just one total across both campaigns. Additionally, the team’s failure to qualify directly for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup raised concerns.
Bangladesh Misses Automatic Qualification for the 2025 Women's World Cup
A major setback came when Bangladesh missed the direct qualification for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. They finished on 21 points in the Women's Championship table, tied with New Zealand, but with fewer wins (eight as compared to New Zealand’s nine). This left them just short of the final automatic qualification spot.
As a result, Bangladesh will now have to compete in the qualifiers for a chance to play in the 2025 World Cup in India, alongside teams like West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand. Only two teams from this group will secure a spot in the prestigious tournament, making their task even more challenging.
Bangladesh Cricket Board Eyes Local Coaching Solutions
Following Tillakaratne's decision to step down, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is now considering its options for the future. While there were discussions about renewing his contract, the board seemed hesitant and looked at alternative coaching solutions.
This has led to speculation that the BCB may appoint a local coach for the team. The front-runner for this role appears to be Sarowar Imran, the current head coach of Bangladesh’s Women’s U-19 team, who could take over the senior team in the near future.
A New Chapter for Bangladesh Women’s Cricket
As the Bangladesh Women’s team moves forward without Tillakaratne, the BCB is faced with the task of rebuilding the team’s prospects, particularly in global competitions. With key players coming into their prime, the team’s future could hinge on the appointment of a coach who can harness their potential and deliver better performances on the world stage.
For fans of cricket in India and beyond, staying updated with developments in women’s cricket and exploring betting opportunities on international matches remains a popular option. If you're looking for trusted platforms, best online betting sites for Indians offer a range of cricket betting options that cater to enthusiasts interested in both men's and women's cricket.
Tillakaratne's departure from the Bangladesh Women’s team opens the door for new leadership and a fresh direction for the side. The coming months will be critical for the team’s preparations as they gear up for the qualification process for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup.
READ NEXT
Ashleigh Gardner Named Captain of Gujarat Giants for Women's Premier League 2025
In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming season of the Women's Premier League (WPL), Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been appointed as the new captain of the Gujarat Giants. The announcement was made on Wednesday (February 5), with the team management deciding to relieve Beth Mooney of her captaincy duties.
ILT20 2025 - Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers - Final - Who is Winning?
Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers will be the final match in ILT20 2025 and we bring you the winning odds and key players for the same.