Just days before Canada begins their T20 World Cup campaign, head coach Pubudu Dassanayake has been dismissed from his role, which he had held for the past two years.
A former Sri Lanka and Canada international, Dassanayake returned for a second stint as Canada’s coach in July 2022, having previously coached Nepal (twice) and the United States.
Since resuming the role, Dassanayake successfully led Canada through the Americas T20 Regional Final to qualify for the T20 World Cup and helped them reclaim ODI status at the 2023 World Cup Qualifier Playoff.
Under his guidance, Canada also gained promotion from the CWC Challenge League to CWC League 2, where they currently sit unbeaten at the top of the table.
However, rumours of unrest in the Canadian camp had been circulating for some time, alongside surprising selection decisions following the appointment of a new three-member selection panel that excluded the head coach.
The omission of Nikhil Dutta and the decision to drop Jeremy Gordon especially raised eyebrows.
Dassanayake was verbally informed on Wednesday morning (May 22) by newly-elected Cricket Canada vice president Gurdeep Klair that his services would no longer be required after the ongoing preparatory matches in St. Kitts, the last of which was played today.
Cricpulse understands that a letter expressing dissatisfaction with Dassanayake had been circulated among the players.
Though several squad members declined to sign it, Cricket Canada found sufficient grounds for dismissal.
A board meeting is expected to be held this evening, but a reversal of the decision is not anticipated.
No replacement for Dassanayake has been named yet.
Canada is set to play the opening match of the T20 World Cup against hosts the USA in Dallas on June 1.
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