SLC part ways with Nawaz; Kandamby to fill in
Naveed Nawaz
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has parted ways with Naveed Nawaz, the assistant coach of the national team, as his two-year contract came to an end this month. Nawaz, entrusted with the crucial role of team batting, departs amidst scrutiny of his performance.
Having donned the Sri Lankan jersey in Tests and ODIs previously, Nawaz transitioned to coaching, initially leading the Bangladesh Under-19 team to glory in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2020. His appointment as assistant to Englishman Chris Silverwood in April 2022 was met with optimism, but the journey proved unproductive.
Nawaz’s tenure faced severe scrutiny, particularly highlighted by the team’s performance at last year’s World Cup in India. Sri Lanka’s campaign was marred by batting collapses, a concerning trend that haunted them throughout the tournament. Out of nine matches played, they managed to secure victory in just two encounters, underscoring the team’s struggles on the global stage.
Against India, Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating defeat by a staggering margin of 302 runs. In pursuit of a daunting target of 357, the team capitulated, getting bundled out for a mere 55 runs. The loss epitomised the batting frailties that plagued Sri Lanka under Nawaz’s watch.
Thilina Kandamby
In response to the dismal showing at the World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket took decisive action by appointing Thilina Kandamby as the new batting coach of the national team–an appointment that indicated what was on offer for Nawaz.
SLC, however has opted to retain the services of Chris Silverwood, the head coach, at least until the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. With Nawaz’s exit, the onus now falls on Kandamby to steer Sri Lanka towards brighter prospects.