'I will miss Chandika'

Mahmudullah Riyad yesterday became the first senior Bangladesh team member to come out and praise Chandika Hathurusingha, since the Sri Lankan's resignation as the Tigers head coach was confirmed.

The all-rounder praised Hathurusingha's contributions to the side at an event in a city hotel where he was appointed the goodwill ambassador for USAID Bangladesh.

"It's too early to make a comment.  Obviously I will miss him. He has made huge contributions to my success and he has done good things for us," Mahmudullah told reporters.

Mahmudullah also cleared the air about Hathurusingha's reportedly 'bitter relations' with senior members of the team, informing that the rumours are baseless and that he always treated players equally.

"I totally disagree about his bitter relations with senior players and I think it's not right. Everyone had good relations with him all the time. At times you hear a few things in a family and it's better to work [it out together] for the betterment of cricket rather than focusing on such things," Mahmudullah said.

"He has always tried to be equal to the junior and senior members and we have always supported him," said the right-hand batsman, adding that he was looking forward to the upcoming series against Sri Lanka in January.