Dhaka: Bangladesh cricket team head coach Chandika Hathurusingha on Thursday submitted his resignation letter to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after having strong signals from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of being recruited as the head coach of his country's national side.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon said he is astonished by the sudden decision of Hathurusingha. "We'll discuss the matter with him and reach a decision in the next board meeting. If he doesn't want to stay, we'll not persuade him."

Hathurusingha's future with Bangladesh is now in a buffering zone whether the resignation will be accepted by the BCB. He had once already moved to resign in October last year, but the BCB had not accepted his resignation as Hathurusingha was convinced to continue.

Meanwhile, SLC is in negotiations with Hathurusingha presently. In fact, in pursuing Hathurusingha, SLC is prepared to pay him what he presently earns with the BCB - a substantial commitment for the Sri Lankan board.

Hathurusingha joined as the head coach of the Tigers in May 2014 after Shane Jurgensen and signed a deal with BCB in June 2016 for an extension of his assignment as coach until the end of the 2019 World Cup.

During his tenure of over three years till date, Bangladesh made the quarterfinal of the 2015 World Cup and the semifinal of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Bangladesh also defeated India, Pakistan and South Africa in home bilateral series, and have climbed up the ODI rankings as a result.

In Tests, Bangladesh registered their first-ever wins against England and Australia at home, and against Sri Lanka away. The team have, however, recently returned from a dispiriting tour to South Africa.