Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha asked to step down

Sri Lanka's head cricket coach Chandika Hathurusingha has been asked to step down after the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh. Sources in Sri Lanka Cricket said SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva has written to Hathurusingha asking him to resign. Hathurusingha was under pressure to quit after Sri Lanka's dismal showing in the recent World Cup.

The island nation won just three preliminary round games and failed to make it to the semifinals. However, after returning to the country, Hathurusingha said he was keen to continue until the expiry of his contract, which was until the end of the next year.

The 51-year-old was appointed in December 2017 after he left his job with the Bangladesh team. However, he was not able to turn around Sri Lanka's dismal performances and the team lost 13 out of the 20 ODIs played in the run-up to the World Cup under his charge, which left them at No.8 in international rankings.

Sources said Hathurusingha was expected to return to coaching Bangladesh after the sacking of Steve Rhodes by that team. Sports Minister Harin Fernando had earlier announced that he expected the entire Sri Lankan coaching staff to step down, taking responsibility for poor World Cup performance.

Sri Lanka speedster Nuwan Kulasekara who has featured in over 260 International games has officially called it a day. Kulasekara, who made an instant impression in his first ODI, against England at Dambulla in November 2003, after being selected from relative obscurity has alway been skipper's trump card.

Having featured in the International set up in 2017, the future for the 37-year-old was looking slim. Sighting this, on Wednesday Kulasekara announced retirement from International Cricket. Reportedly, he requested SLC for farewell game. Sports Minister gave the green signal but selectors weren't convinced as he hasn't played domestic cricket for longtime.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nuwan Kulasekara announced retirement from International Cricket.
• Lasith Malinga is set to retire from International Cricket post first ODI against Bangladesh.
• Chandika Hathurusinghe was asked to quit after World Cup stint.