Coach Pubudu Dassanayake proud, not sad

Kathmandu, November 3

National cricket team head coach Pubudu Dassanayake said he was happy to be associated with Nepali cricket for four years. “I really enjoyed the last four years with Nepal, especially the bunch of talented cricketers,” said Dassanayake as he embarked on probably the last tour. “I have decided to move forward and put in my papers. I am not sad for leaving the team but I am proud as I am taking a lot of memories with me,” he added. Dassanayake submitted his resignation to CAN last month and will leave the country after serving his contract that ends on December 31.

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“I tried my best and I was able to do whatever bit of things to Nepal cricket. Even though we had a couple of bad tours, Nepal are in very good position to move forward. I hope, even if I am not here, it’s not about any individual, I always want to see Nepal doing well in future,” he said. Asked whether his mission was accomplished, Dassanayake said he was personally happy to take Nepal to Division-I from Division-IV. “We also played World Cup but still I would have loved to see Nepal get the ODI status and security in Division-I. We failed in one or two tournaments, and that happens in international cricket as you cannot keep winning every tournament. Given the support and facilities we had, the boys have done enough and I am satisfied with that. And I am sure that somebody will come and take it to the next level,” he added.

Dassanayake said Nepal had the potential to become the next full member of ICC. “Nepal has a better chance than others to become ICC’s full member. There are lots of question marks and lot of things to be done for that. If you are able to put right things in right place, you are there in 10 years time,” he added.