Kathmandu, September 3

Bhairahawa Gladiators today announced Sri Lankan Pubudu Dassanayake as the head coach for the upcoming season of the Everest Premier League.

The franchise-based premier Twenty20 cricket tournament, organised by EPL Pt Ltd, is slated for February-March next year and the two-time runners-up Gladiators appointed the former Nepal national team head coach Dassanayake to “further add value to our side and help the players deliver to the best of their abilities.”

The Gladiators would not reveal the details of the contract.

“We are honoured to announce the recruitment of Pubudu Dassanayake as the head coach of the Bhairahawa Gladiators side for the 2020 season,” said the franchise owned by Ghorahi Cement Industry Pvt Ltd in a release. “Dassanayake has been a prolific sculptor in shaping Nepalese cricket and on his coaching Nepal clinched 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division-III along with featuring in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. The success of Nepali Cricket Team in the recent years is credited to this legendary man and we are ecstatic that he has accepted our offer to coach the Gladiators side this season.”

Dassanayake expressed his happiness over the appointment.

“I am really excited about joining the Bhairahawa Gladiators side.

Nepal has always been very close to my heart and I am thankful for this opportunity to be back here and contribute to Nepali cricket in whichever way I can,” Dassanayake said.

Gladiators sipper Sharad Vesawkar said: “Pubudu Dassanayake’s appointment as the head coach of the national team proved to be the turning point in Nepali cricket’s history. I’m delighted that a legend who has contributed so much to Nepali cricket and helped transform so many Nepali cricketers like me is going to be a part of our side this season.

We have had two runners-up trophies in the past two seasons. Perhaps it is going to be Dassanayake who will take us over the finish line this year and make us champions.”

Gladiators owner Aditya Sanghai said Dassanayake would be a great asset to not just their team but also the Nepali cricket fraternity. “We are honoured to have such a legendary figure as our head coach. I’m sure that his presence will help nurture our cricketing talents in a manner that will later translate to the national team’s strength,” he added.