World Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan reason behind Allan Donald opting not to continue as Bangladesh coach?

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World Cup 2023: Allan Donald has opted to not continue as the Bangladesh fast bowling coach despite verbally agreeing to a one-year contract extension a few weeks ago during the ongoing World Cup 2023.

The former South Africa had taken the job last year in February ahead of Bangladesh's tour of South Africa. During his period with the Bangladesh cricket team, he has nurtured a set of premium fast bowlers. At least three pacers featured regularly under Allan Donald's watch even in Bangladesh conditions.

Allan Donald confirmed the development to ESPNcricinfo, saying that he wishes to take a break from all the travelling to be with his family to fulfil the roles of a dad, husband and grandfather.

"During the World Cup, I was the first one to accept a contract verbally. I didn't sign a contract but I was ready to go back to Dhaka to sign the contract for a year's extension. I was excited to crack on and see how we can expand this fast-bowling group even further," Donald told ESPNcricinfo in an interview on Friday.

"I have had time in the World Cup to reflect on that. My immediate thought was that 12 months looks like a long time. The schedule looks very hectic. I'd better start thinking about my family. I got a two-year-old grandson who I miss dearly. I have been away for 82 days on the bounce. I think it got to me a little bit.

"I am really proud of them. Whoever takes care of them from now, all I know is that I have left them in a good space with a good platform to work from. It is basically time for me to get home and be a dad, husband and grandfather," he added.

World Cup 2023: Is Shakib Al Hasan the reason behind Allan Donald's departure?

The confirmation comes after Donald was pulled up by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for his views on the timed-out controversy featuring captain Shakib Al Hasan at the centre of it. Shakib infamously appealed for a timed-out dismissal against Angelo Mathews, following which the former Sri Lanka captain was given out. The episode kicked off a 'Spirit of Cricket' debate.

Right after the match, Donald spoked against Shakib Al Hasan's action in the middle as a leader. He said he thought of going on the field to stop Shakib Al Hasan from making that appeal.

Notably, as per the rules, the new batter arriving in the middle has to be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal. Mathews could not face the first ball in the stipulated time as the straps of his helmet came off just before facing the delivery.

“What just happened there? In the change room, I was dead quiet. We shook hands [after the match], well, we didn’t shake hands and I knew what was going to come after Sri Lanka had fielded, it was going to be a very, very blank reception.

"My immediate reaction when that happened, and this is just my instincts would have taken over, was that I almost actually thought of going on the field and saying, 'Enough’s enough, we do not stand for this. We are not that kind of team who stand for this.’ That was my immediate thought," Donald said while exclusively speaking to CricBlog.

However, this isn't the reason for Donald's decision to not continue as the Bangladesh fast bowling coach. The 57-year-old had made up his mind before the incident took place on Monday.

The South Africa legend even plans to continue chatting with his players in the WhatsApp group he has created with them.

"I told them yesterday that, you know, I have been on so many WhatsApp groups. The moment you leave an organisation or a team, you detach yourself from that group. I told them that I will keep that group running.

"Whenever the players feel like they want to chat, they can WhatsApp me. We can do a group chat. That's why I said I wanted to keep in touch with them. Whether it is just a light-hearted discussion or a chat about cricket," Donald told ESPNcricinfo.