Pubudu Dassanayake Resigns As Nepal National Team Cricket Coach

Pubudu Dassanayake, the head coach of Nepal’s national cricket team, has quit for personal reasons.

In December of last year, the Canadian who was born in Sri Lanka was reappointed as the team’s cricket coach. He left Nepal in October 2015 after serving there for five years. He played a key role in leading his country’s squad to the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

He was given a two-year appointment.

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It Is One Of The Toughest Decisions: Pubudu Dassanayake

“It didn’t happen overnight, I have to take this decision due to some personal and family reasons,” said Dassanayak at a press conference in Kathmandu.

“It is one of the toughest decisions… that I have to leave the team midway.”

Pubudu Dassanayake, 52, took over for Dav Whatmore, the Sri Lankan World Cup-winning coach, who left his position as head coach of Nepal’s cricket team in September of last year. He also had his own private motives. After being hired as the team’s coach in January of last year, he only guided them for nine months.

On October 18, the Cricket Association of Nepal issued a call for applicants for the position of head coach. The Coach Recruitment Committee narrowed the field of 60 hopefuls for the hot seat down to seven for interviews.

Coach Monty Desai from India competed in the event with Pubudu Dassanayake.

But the committee went with Dassanayake because, during his last tenure, the national team advanced quickly under his leadership.

Nepal Cricket Moving In Right Direction: Pubudu Dassanayake

“I am simply gratified and blessed that I have got this opportunity to work with the 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 at the junior level,” Dassanayake had said after his appointment.

“I would like to thank CAN and the entire management, cricket fans from Nepal for providing me this wonderful opportunity.”

He apologised for not being able to complete the task when he announced his retirement on Wednesday.

“I apologise I could not finish the job, but I am happy inside that Nepal is moving forward in the right direction,” he said.

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