Former Srilankan and Canadian International cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake have been reappointed as the Head coach of the Nepalese cricket team, the Cricket Association of Nepal announced on Saturday.
Pubudu Dassanayake will replace Dav Whatmore after the latter stepped down from the position in September. He will take up the role in a full-time capacity after his arrival on December 20.
The 51-year-old has been reappointed for a two-year tenure. He was earlier with Nepal Men’s team from 2011 till October 2015. During his tenure, he guided the Nepal team from ICC World Cricket League Division Four to Division One, the World Cricket League Championship.
Likewise, Dassanayake helped the Nepal team to appear in its maiden major ICC tournament, the 2014 ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Former Australian cricketer stepped down after the end of Nepal’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Oman.
Earlier, CAN had invited applications for the post of Head Coach (Men’s) on October 18 and received a total of 60 applications.
“I am simply gratified and blessed that I have got this opportunity to work with Cricket Association of Nepal. I am hopeful I would be able now to take Nepal cricket to a great height as we have immense talent not only at senior level but also in the junior level,” Dassanayake said.
“I would like to thank Cricket Association of Nepal and the entire management, cricket fans from Nepal for providing me this wonderful opportunity,” he further added.
The Coach Recruitment Committee was headed by acting Secretary – Prashant Bikram Malla and comprising Treasurer – Roshan Kumar Singh, General Manager – Raunaq B. Malla, and Cricket Manager – Binod Das had unanimously selected Pubudu Dassanayake as the Head Coach of the Men’s cricket team.
This decision from the Coach Recruitment Committee was officially endorsed by the virtual Board Meeting,” the statement by CAN read.
