Former Sri Lanka player Dassanayake earns second stint as USA coach

ANI May 15, 2025 248 views

Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has been reappointed as head coach of the USA men's cricket team. He previously held the role from 2016-2019, helping the team gain ODI status. Dassanayake replaces Stuart Law, who stepped down after the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 54-year-old now prepares USA for next year's T20 World Cup in India.

"It's an honour to return and lead the USA Men's National Team" - Pubudu Dassanayake (ICC)
New Delhi, May 15: Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's men's team, as per the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Key Points

1

Dassanayake previously coached USA to ODI status in 2016-2019

2

Led Canada to first T20 World Cup in 2024

3

Replaces Stuart Law after USA's co-hosted T20 WC

4

Aims to build on USA's 2025 T20 WC qualification

Dassanayake replaces Stuart Law in the top job, after the former Australia batter left the position towards the end of last year after leading the side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup they co-hosted with the West Indies.

It is the second time Dassanayake has held the role as head coach with the USA, with the 54-year-old having previously enjoyed a three-year stint in charge from 2016-2019.

During that time, Dassanayake helped the USA win their ODI status and establish themselves as a growing nation within the cricketing landscape.

Dassanayake has since held head coaching jobs with Nepal and Canada and helped the latter to their first T20 World Cup appearance last year in the USA and the West Indies.

With the USA already qualified for next year's T20 World Cup in India, Dassanayake is looking forward to leading the side in another global tournament and building on the platform he helped establish last decade.

"It's an honour to return and lead the USA Men's National Team," Dassanayake said, as quoted from the official website of the ICC.

"I'm proud of what we accomplished during my previous time here, and I see tremendous potential in this group to reach even greater heights," he added.

"I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket," he noted.

Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka towards the end of last century, before moving to Canada and playing in their national side at the end of his playing career.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Good to see cricket expanding in USA! Dassanayake has experience with associate nations, perfect for developing their team. Hope this helps grow the game globally. Maybe one day we'll see USA vs India in a World Cup final! 🇮🇳🇺🇸
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Priya M.
Interesting appointment. Dassanayake did decent work with Nepal and Canada. But USA cricket needs more than just a coach - they need proper infrastructure and domestic structure. Hope he gets proper support this time.
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Arjun S.
As an Indian cricket fan, I love seeing the game grow worldwide. USA has potential with all the desi population there. Maybe they can be the next Afghanistan in terms of rapid progress? Dassanayake seems like a good choice for their level.
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Sanjana R.
His experience with multiple associate nations is impressive! But I wonder if USA cricket will ever take off properly there. Baseball is too dominant. Still, more competition is good for cricket overall. Looking forward to seeing them in next year's World Cup in India!
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Vikram J.
Not sure about this. USA cricket has been unstable for years. They keep changing coaches and have internal politics. Dassanayake is good but will he get proper backing? ICC should focus more on established cricket nations rather than forcing growth in USA.
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Neha P.
Good luck to him! It's nice to see a Sri Lankan contributing to global cricket development. Hope USA team improves under him. Maybe they can recruit some Indian-origin players from there too 😊 Cricket connecting nations as always!

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