Pubudu Dassanayeke, Canada’s head coach for the last two years, was fired a few days before the team is scheduled to start their T20 World Cup campaign. After having coached Nepal (twice) and the United States, Dassanayeke, a former international for both Sri Lanka and Canada, took up his coaching role again in July 2022.
Since assuming the position once more, Dassanayeke has been instrumental in leading Canada to victory in the Americas T20 Regional Final, which allowed them to advance to the upcoming T20 World Cup, and in seeing them win back their ODI status in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier Playoff. Additionally, Canada was promoted from the CWC Challenge League to the CWC League 2, where they are presently leading the league without a loss.
However, there had been long-standing rumors of discord inside the Canadian camp, coupled with some unexpected selection decisions made after a new three-member selection panel—which did not include the head coach—was created last month in the wake of contentious Cricket Canada board elections. Raising concerns were the later exclusion of Nikhil Dutta and the choice to omit Jeremy Gordon.
The newly elected vice president of Cricket Canada, Gurdeep Klair, orally told Dassanayeke on Wednesday morning, May 22, that his services would be no longer needed after the end of the ongoing preparatory matches in St. Kitts, the final of which was played today.
As far as Cricket sport is aware, a letter expressing the players’ displeasure with Dassanayeke had made its way around the squad. While some players chose not to sign it, Cricket Canada appears to have deemed the letter adequate justification for dismissal. There is minimal chance of a reversal, even if the topic is anticipated to be broached during this evening’s board meeting.
Dassanayake’s replacement has not yet been announced.
On June 1, Canada and the USA, the hosts of the T20 World Cup, will square off in Dallas.
