Pubudu Dassanayake to coach Nepal

Pubudu Dassanayake, the former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman has succeeded another former Sri Lanka cricketer, Roy Dias, as head coach of the Nepal cricket team. Dassanayake, who has Level III coaching qualifications from Australia, began work with Nepal from October 1.

"It was during the World Cup that the Cricket Association of Nepal and I exchanged a few mails," Dassanayake said. "I had expressed my interest to take on the role of head coach.

"I heard a lot good things about Nepali cricket through Rumesh Ratnayake, who is a development manager with the Asian Cricket Council [ACC], and from other Sri Lankan colleagues of mine. They said Nepali cricket has the scope to reach another level. Nepal has talented young players and they finished second in the Under-19 World Cup qualifier in August."

Dassanayake represented Sri Lanka in 11 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1993 and 1994, before moving to Canada in 2001. He represented Canada in the 2005 World Cup qualifier in Ireland, and the following year captained them in the Intercontinental Cup. He took on the post as head coach of the Canadian national side in 2007 and helped them secure a place in the 2011 World Cup, before deciding not to renew his contract with them.

Dassanayake's first assignment with Nepal will be the ACC Twenty20 Cup, which will be hosted by Nepal in December.