Table of Contents
The USA Men’s National Cricket Team has recently parted ways with former head coach Stuart Law, whose tenure was relatively brief, beginning in April 2024 and ending in October of the same year following the team’s historic participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.
Appointment of new head coach for USA men’s cricket team
Meanwhile, they have reappointed Pubudu Dassanayake as their head coach, marking a significant and strategic decision in their bid to strengthen international competitiveness. Dassanayake, a former Sri Lankan and Canadian international cricketer, previously served as USA’s head coach from 2016 to 2019, during which he was instrumental in helping the side gain One Day International (ODI) status. His return is widely seen as a continuation of unfinished business, especially as the USA prepares for future global tournaments, including the T20 World Cup 2026 in India, for which the team has already secured qualification. Under his first tenure, USA not only rose through the ranks in the ICC’s divisional structure but also began establishing a strong cricketing culture and infrastructure.
Also READ: Ireland announces ODI and T20I squads for home series against West Indies
Wealth of coaching experience across multiple countries and conditions
Dassanayake returns to USA Cricket with a wealth of coaching experience across multiple countries and conditions. Most recently, he was the head coach of Canada, where he led them to regain ODI status and qualify for their first-ever T20 World Cup in 2024, a major milestone achieved under his calm, disciplined guidance.
Before that, Dassanayake was also instrumental in Nepal’s rise, having taken them to their debut ICC World T20 appearance in 2014. His international coaching journey showcases his ability to transform underdog teams into competitive units capable of performing on the biggest stages. His previous stint helped move the USA from World Cricket League Division Four to ODI status by 2019, and his reappointment now suggests a desire to continue building on that long-term vision.
Dassanayake has expressed his excitement about returning to a team he helped shape, stating that the current USA squad has “tremendous potential” to exceed previous accomplishments.
“It’s an honour to return and lead the USA Men’s National Team. I’m proud of what we accomplished during my previous time here, and I see tremendous potential in this group to reach even greater heights. I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket,” Dassanayake was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Also READ: Michael Atherton picks Virat Kohli in his list of 4 most charismatic cricketers
