Pubudu Dassanayake is on the brink of losing his position as head coach of Canada's cricket team by the end of this month. Cricket Canada decided not to renew the contract of the former Sri Lankan and Canadian international, despite prior indications that he would be dismissed before the T20 World Cup. This decision was met with criticism, particularly from former president Rajpal Bajwa, who expressed disappointment over the termination of the experienced coach.
Rajpal Bajwa voiced his disagreement with the new board's decision, stating, "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." Dassanayake, who returned to Canada in July 2022 for his second tenure as coach, led the team in the CWC Challenge League after they lost their ODI status in 2014. Under his leadership, Canada topped their group and secured a spot in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier Playoff in Namibia, regaining ODI status for the first time in nearly a decade. He also guided Canada to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking their first appearance in the short-format World Cup and their return to the global stage since the 2011 fifty-over edition.
President Bajwa regretted Dassanayake's departure, highlighting his contributions to Canadian cricket. "Canada will be losing a coach with immense knowledge and insight into associate cricket. Coach Pubudu is, and will continue to be, the right man for this job in Cricket Canada. His dedication and expertise will leave a lasting impact on Canadian cricket," Bajwa said.
Captain Saad bin Zafar also praised Dassanayake's impact, stating, "Coach Pubudu has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to produce remarkable results throughout his career. His profound understanding of the game, coupled with his dedication and tireless work ethic, sets him apart as an outstanding coach. Under his guidance, we regained our ODI status and qualified for our first-ever T20 World Cup, which speaks volumes about his capability to lead and inspire the team to achieve excellence. I thank him for his remarkable contribution to Canadian cricket and for my personal growth as a cricketer and captain."
Dassanayake leaves behind a legacy of successes, including regaining ODI status, qualifying for the T20 World Cup, and notable victories such as beating Ireland. Reflecting on his tenure, Dassanayake said, "Beating a test-playing country at a World Cup was special, and I'm proud of where we are in 50-over cricket too, going 4-0 in Dubai to climb to the top of the table in Associate ODIs. 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, and I'm looking forward to the next challenge."