In a bold and strategic move that signals growing ambition, USA Cricket has appointed Pubudu Dassanayake as the new head coach of its Men’s National Team — bringing in the experience, grit, and global cricket IQ of a man who has represented two countries as a player and guided others as a coach to new heights.
For a cricketing nation still carving out its identity, the appointment of Dassanayake isn’t just about tactical acumen or international pedigree. It’s a defining moment in the journey of American cricket — an attempt to transition from potential to performance.
With the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, fresh in memory and the game’s popularity swelling across American cities, the stakes for leadership have never been higher. And in Dassanayake, USA Cricket believes it has found the right architect to design a future that is competitive, sustainable, and distinctly American.
Who is Pubudu Dassanayake?
Pubudu Dassanayake’s cricket story is one of resilience, adaptability, and global reach.
Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Dassanayake was a technically solid wicketkeeper-batter who represented Sri Lanka in Tests and ODIs during the mid-1990s. While his international playing career was relatively short-lived due to stiff competition, his true impact on world cricket would come from the sidelines — as a coach.
After moving to Canada, Dassanayake’s coaching journey began in earnest. Over the years, he earned a reputation for transforming underdog teams into credible forces, especially in Associate cricket circles. His coaching résumé includes:
- Canada: Took them to the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
- Nepal: Orchestrated one of cricket’s most romantic stories by leading Nepal from obscurity to the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup and eventually to ODI status.
- USA (first tenure): Served as USA head coach from 2016 to 2019, laying key foundations for their ODI status.
- Nepal (second stint): Returned to Nepal in 2021 and led them to ODI series wins and qualification events.
Now, in 2025, Dassanayake returns to USA Cricket for a second stint, more experienced and more determined than ever.
Why the USA Job Matters — Now More Than Ever
When Dassanayake first took over as USA head coach in 2016, the cricketing infrastructure in America was rudimentary. Facilities were sparse, talent was scattered, and internal politics often overshadowed on-field ambition. Even so, his first tenure produced key wins, player development milestones, and helped USA gain ODI status — a crucial stepping stone.
Fast forward to 2025, and the cricket landscape in America is fundamentally different:
- Infrastructure Growth: Facilities like the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and venues in Florida and Morrisville now offer world-class pitches.
- T20 Leagues: The Major League Cricket (MLC) has added structure, attention, and funding to the domestic scene, attracting international names and giving USA-born players competitive exposure.
- Fan Base: With millions of South Asian, Caribbean, and British expats, cricket fandom in the USA is growing fast, especially in states like California, Texas, and New York.
- World Cup Momentum: Co-hosting the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup provided the sport with mainstream visibility — and a critical chance to leave a legacy.
Dassanayake enters the fold not to start from scratch, but to accelerate progress. His job is no longer about just qualifying — it’s about building a consistently competitive side capable of winning against established Full Member nations.
Goals for Dassanayake’s Second Stint
With USA Cricket setting its sights on regular qualification for ICC events and long-term Full Member ambitions, Dassanayake’s roadmap includes:
1. Stabilize and Strengthen the Core Squad
The current USA team features exciting talent like:
- Ali Khan – Express pace bowler known globally through T20 leagues.
- Steven Taylor – Aggressive top-order batter with Caribbean roots.
- Monank Patel – Reliable captain and wicketkeeper.
- Nosthush Kenjige – Emerging left-arm spinner with match-winning potential.
Dassanayake will aim to create depth and clarity in roles. That means selecting based on performance and form, not just seniority, while introducing younger players into the international fold.
2. Bridge Domestic and International Standards
MLC has provided a professional stage, but there’s still a gap between franchise cricket and national duty. Dassanayake is expected to align national training protocols with professional club standards — emphasizing fitness, match awareness, and mental preparation.
His goal: to make USA Cricket a place players are proud to represent and fully prepared to compete for.
3. Build a Winning Culture
One of Dassanayake’s strongest traits is his ability to inspire belief. In Nepal, he nurtured a mindset shift — from just participating to expecting to win.
The same cultural pivot is essential in the USA. Winning key series, defeating higher-ranked nations, and instilling self-belief are critical steps toward broader legitimacy.
4. Global Qualification Events
With ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 and T20 World Cup qualifiers ahead, Dassanayake’s immediate task is clear: maintain ODI status, compete for T20 qualification, and ensure the USA continues to rise in ICC rankings.
