Dassanayake steps down as Nepal coach

Pubudu Dassanayake has stepped down as Nepal coach, reportedly citing personal reasons. His last assignment with the side will be the WCL Championship matches against Papua New Guinea in November 16 and 18 in the UAE.

The contract that had been offered to Dassanayake last year expired on June 15, 2015. However, the World T20 Qualifier in July, followed by the World Cricket League Championship led the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to extend his contract until January 15, 2016.

"It's unfortunate. I have received an email from the coach stating that he has submitted a resignation letter to the general secretary and will continue till the WCL in Dubai [sic Abu Dhabi]," Bhawana Ghimire, CEO of Cricket Association of Nepal, said.

Dassanayake's decision will bring an end to his four-year tenure as Nepal coach, the highlight of which was the side's maiden World T20 appearance at the 2014 edition.

His stint with Nepal, however, has not been controversy free, with the Cricket Association of Nepal facing numerous administrative issues of its own including an investigation into the activities of some of its members.

In March 2014, CAN had said that Dassanayake would get a year's extension. However, due to the board being under investigation, he was only given an additional three months, which ran out in June, after which he left the country. In August, Dassanayake returned to Nepal after being invited by the government and was reappointed in September.