Cricket Canada fires successful coach without reason

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Pubudu Dassanayake earned rave reviews for Canada’s performance at the recent World Twenty20 Cup. Under his guidance as coach the last two years the country qualified for the finals of the global tournament for the very first time and simultaneously nailed a spot in the 2027 World Cup (50 overs) to be played in South Africa and Zimbabwe. At the T20 tournament, underdog Canada shocked Test nation Ireland before gallant efforts against eventual champion India, Pakistan and co-host the United States.

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But on returning home Dassanayake got a rude awakening. He was fired by Cricket Canada. Dassanayake was stunned by the decision but not totally surprised. Dassanayake achieved the near impossible in the tournament as he “had his hands tied by the newly elected Cricket Canada board. They interfered with team selection and essentially made life very hard for me,’’ said the coach whose contract runs out on July 31.

“I honestly believe that our team was capable of reaching the second round of the competition but with five players brought in without my knowledge made it difficult, he added.

“I would say that 90 per cent of the players I selected for the World Cup came from the group who helped the country in qualification play in Bermuda. Building a team culture and strong team values has always been key to my approach, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a team,’’ added the former Sri Lankan international. Several calls to Cricket Canada’s head office in Toronto went unanswered while its president Amjad Bajwa could not be reached either. In both instances one couldn’t even leave a message.

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Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar was taken aback at the decision to end the coach’s contract. “His understanding of the game and his tireless work ethic sets him apart as an outstanding coach,” said Zafar.

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“I thank him for his remarkable contribution to Canadian cricket and also for my personal growth as a cricketer and as captain of the team,” added Zafar.

Meanwhile, former CC president Rajpal Bajwa, was surprised the veteran and experienced coach was fired. “It is unfortunate that the new board has decided to let go of Pubudu, despite his impressive record of hitting all the milestones we had set in his contract,” Bajwa said. This isn’t the first time Canada Cricket has interfered in team selection and payment to players. In the 1990s Canada regularly qualified for the World Cups but board interference ruined the country’s standing in the game until now.

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This affair involving Dassanayake and Cricket Canada is far from over. He was pried from his previous job as coach of Nepal with a year still left on his contract with an offer that extended until 2027 if the team qualified for the World Cup. And it has.

“It’s in writing,’’ said Dassanayake. “I have contacted my lawyers and that is where we stand right now.”

PAKISTANIS NOT COMING

Canada’s very own Global T20 tournament was dealt a Mike Tyson-sized upper cut on the weekend when Cricket Pakistan refused permission for three of its leading players from playing in the competition that starts at the CAA Centre in Brampton on July 25.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan weren’t issued no-objection certificates, a document all international players require before playing in competitions around the world. Local Pakistani fans were looking forward to watching these world-class cricketers in action but Cricket Pakistan said it has been forced to manage their workload as the country has a lengthy international calendar that starts in August. Several top stars are here and the list includes Aussie opening batsman David Warner.

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WINDIES BLOWN AWAY

England completed a series victory over visiting West Indies with one Test to go at Trent Bridge on the weekend. England led the way with 416 in the first innings and West Indies replied with 457 thanks to Kavem Hodge scoring his maiden Test century (120) and Alick Athanaze making 82. In the second innings centuries from Joe Root (120) and Harry Brook (107) helped the home team to 457, setting West Indies a massive 385 to win. But after a bright start of 61 without loss the visitors crumbled to 82 for five before being shot out for 143 to hand England victory by 241 runs

The damage in the second knock was done by off-spinner Shoaib Bashir who grabbed five for 41 runs. The highlight of the Test was a blistering spell of fiery bowling by England fast bowler Mark Wood whose four-over opening spell saw him hit 97 miles per hour and none of his deliveries dipped under 90 m.p.h. His speed rattled Hodge who jokingly told Wood that he was married, had a child and he would like to return home unscathed. Nobody has bowled faster in England since ball-tracking data became available in 2006.

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