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Int'l Cricket Council
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Cricket World Cup League 2: State of Play on road to 2027
Pitting the best in the men's Associate game, Cricket World Cup League 2 has again thrown up intriguing storylines and headline moments, as its eight teams fight for four automatic Cricket World Cup Qualifier spots. With the table starting to take shape, a look at how each team is travelling in their aspirations of reaching the 14-team global tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. 20 matches, 28 points (14 wins, 6 losses) The amount of individual talent oozing in American cricket is reflected in their position at the top of the table, and the side have welcomed back proven winner Pubudu Dassanayake, who takes coaching reins of the team for a second time. The Americans boast the top two run-scorers in the competition thus far in Monank Patel (746 at 41.44) and Milind Kumar (682 at 52.46), with Sai Mukkamalla's 612 also coming at an average of 47.07. The side have been able to win in different ways in the competition, not only putting up a 169-run win over rivals Canada, but defending just 122 against Oman in Al-Amerat back in February, the lowest total defended in Men's ODI history (not counting revised matches due to weather). Kumar (20 wickets), Nosthush Kenjige (27) and Harmeet Singh (22) have tied down opposition with spin, while fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who has 27 wickets of his own in the cycle, has become the first American to reach 100 scalps in the format. A Super Over defeat in their recent home series against Oman may leave a sour taste in the mouth, but the Americans have so far matched their lofty expectations in the campaign. USA v Canada | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27 USA put up 286 in their Cricket World Cup League 2 meeting with Canda in Lauderhill 20 matches, 26 points (12 wins, 6 losses, 2 no-results) It's been a strong start for the team in orange, who have dropped just one match at home, and picked up points on tough overseas assignments in Nepal, Oman and Namibia. Aryan Dutt's 6/34 early in the campaign in Nepal against Namibia sent an early competition warning shot, and the side claimed a win over the hosts in Kirtipur, only underlining their status as competition heavyweights. Scott Edwards' side claimed a victory over UAE in Oman, before going unbeaten on a tour of Namibia, albeit with two no-results. Impeded by player availability, the team have shared the load with the bat, though Max O'Dowd has brought consistency at the top of the order, making 668 runs at a tick under 40. With the ball Kyle Klein has stepped up, taking 32 wickets at just 15.81, while Paul van Meekeren has displayed his quality, taking his 28 wickets at just 16.03. The side travel north to Scotland to take on Richie Berrington's side and Nepal for their next tri-series, beginning on June 2. 20 matches, 24 points (11 wins, 7 losses, 2 no-results) A successful tour of the USA with almost a completely reshuffled team has given Oman's League 2 campaign new life, and a realistic path to a top four spot come the end of the cycle. At one point looking destined for a bottom four finish, losing the likes of Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood among a mass departure, new skipper Jatinder Singh has returned to form, making waves in a match-winning performance over the USA. It's been a change of tack on the bowling front too that has led to the Omani push, with left-arm orthodox spinner Shakeel Ahmed both leading Oman's attack and sitting atop the competition wicket tally with 39 wickets at an astonishing average of just 11.15. There may have been doubts if Shakeel would be able to match his home efforts while on the road, though Shakeel showed his guile with nine wickets across their four matches in Florida. While doubts may continue to hover over the batting depth, the spin bowling attack and a likely return for quick Bilal Khan should ensure the team from the sultanate remain in the hunt. USA v Oman | Match Highlights | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Oman clinched a thriller with a Super Over victory against the USA in League 2 action in Lauderhill 16 matches, 20 points (9 wins, 5 losses, 2 no-results) There should be comfort for the Scots knowing that while they remain in a strong position for automatic Qualifier spots, they still have the ability to improve. The defending champions were sluggish in their start, dropping two matches to Canada in UAE, though have claimed eight wins in their last 11 completed fixtures. In individual matches, the Scots have shown they have the firepower to match anyone, including the sides they would take on if they were to qualify for the World Cup proper. The side put up the competition's highest total in history, making 380/9 in their 50 overs, with tons from Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington, as well as a half-century from the aggressive George Munsey. Munsey averages over 60 in his 12 competition innings, with Berrington and McMullen going at rates of 50.11 and 48.41 respectively. The crafty medium pace of McMullen (22 wickets) has been an immense help for the Scottish bowling cause, with left-armer Brad Currie (26 wickets at 24.50) leading the line-up. Fellow quick Charlie Cassell also made headlines, Kagiso Rabada's nine-year-old record for best bowling figures on debut in Men's ODIs with figures of 7/21. Charlie Cassell's record-breaking seven-for on debut | SCO v OMA | CWCL2 23-27 Charlie Cassell picked 7/21 on debut 20 matches, 20 points (9 wins, 9 losses, 2 no-results) The Canadians enjoyed a promotion bounce of sorts early in their first League 2 campaign, though a dip in form has pulled them back in a mid-table fight. The side have won just one match in the 2025 calendar year, that too only in a Super Over against Namibia. Ruing the absence of Nicholas Kirton, responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of Harsh Thaker and Pargat Singh, the only players in the side with over 400 runs to their name. With the ball, Dilon Heyliger remains a consistent wicket-taker (35) alongside Kaleem Sana (31), though the side will want more out of their spin attack. Saad Bin Zafar still has 20 wickets in 19 outings, though the left-armer averages over 34, and has a higher ceiling to reach. Canada v UAE | Match Highlights | CWC League 2 20 matches, 14 points (7 wins, 13 losses) It's been a frustrating start for Gerhard Erasmus' side, who begin the campaign with just seven wins in 20 outings, and at risk of missing out on an automatic spot for the Qualifier. The Eagles are too going through a transition on and off the field, with former international and T20 World Cup hero Craig Williams taking the head coach position, made vacant by the departing Pierre de Bruyn. Williams' first task will be to lock in a set line-up, with 21 players featuring thus far in their 20-match campaign and just three players featuring in every match. The side have struggle to settle on their desired batting order, and Michael van Lingen's retirement adds a further dent to their stocks. There are glimmers of hope though, particularly on the bowling side. Bernard Scholtz and Erasmus have claimed 68 wickets between them through their spin, with a young pace battery of Ben Shikongo and Jack Brassell starting to emerge alongside Ruben Trumpelmann who should be fit to fly again at top pace. A look at the FNB Namibia Cricket Stadium 16 matches, 6 points (3 wins, 13 losses) United Arab Emirates effectively gave the rest of the field a headstart with three successive defeats at home to begin the campaign, and little has improved with the side only ahead of Nepal on net run rate. Even the Nepalis have four matches in hand over the Emiratis, a side going through a transition of their own having played 26 players in their first 16 outings. While continuity has been a struggle, there have been glimpses, with wins over The Netherlands and Scotland showing the potential quality in the group. Rahul Chopra has stepped up in both wins with the bat, while the emergence of spinner Simranjeet Singh has been another positive in the campaign. Their recent run of form in T20I cricket should also be a source of inspiration, having beaten Bangladesh in a home series, just their second series win in the format over a Full Member. Their next tri-series is at home with against the Nepal and the USA, a crucial assignment should they want to make a move. Scotland v UAE | Match Highlights | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 A blistering century from skipper Rahul Chopra landed UAE a big win over Scotland in their Cricket World Cup League 2 clash. 12 matches, 6 points (2 wins, 8 losses, 2 no-results) Rohit Paudel's side dropped three of four matches at home to begin the cycle, and only added four more points in the next two tri-series in North America, beating Scotland in a neutral match in Dallas to go with two no-results. It's an all too familiar story for the Nepalis who were also sluggish in the last cycle, though their last campaign should also serve as inspiration, having battled back to an automatic Qualifier spot thanks to 11 wins in their final 12 matches. The side welcome new coach Stuart Law after Monty Desai's contract was not renewed, and also have eight games in hand over Scotland, Canada and The Netherlands. Their next tri-series begins on June 2 in Scotland, where they'll also face the Dutch. Nepal v Scotland | Match Highlights | ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 Nepal v Scotland | Match Highlights | ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 ICC CWC League 2, 2023-27News
National Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Canada finds itself on a sticky wicket after two losses in World Cup qualifiers
Like a new ball losing its shine after a few overs, Canada's national team finds itself in a similar position in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two. Article content Article content After that outstanding showing in the World T20 Cup last year, things have not gone as smoothly as one would expect as Cricket Canada has had to duck a barrage of bouncers. Article content Beyond the boundary lines, the parent body has been placed under investigation by the International Cricket Council for the way it conducts its business. Article content And on the field, the players find themselves under intense pressure to excel despite not being given the tools it requires because Cricket Canada keeps interfering in the coach's job. Article content CC suffers from amnesia from time to time and deliberately overrides the coach, who since last year has been relegated to a figurehead. He has to bend down to instructions from the CC blazers. Article content At the global T20 finals last year, the blazers parachuted their own players into the squad against the wishes of then-coach Pubudu Dassanayake. The result was disastrous, ending with the world-class coach getting his marching orders. Article content 'They had my hands tied down and essentially made life very hard for me,' Dassanayake recalled. Article content His contract clearly stated his pact would be extended to 2027 if the team qualified for the World Cup in 2027, which it did. But CC reneged on the deal and it was sued for wrongful dismissal. The case comes up in June, but in the meantime Dassanayake was signed to a 3.5-year contract by the United States. Article content Article content It paints a sad picture, especially since Canada parades a top-class squad that can defeat the best of the second-tiered teams on any given day. Article content Article content The problems off the field have creeped on to the field with Canada losing its first two World Cup League Two encounters in Lauderhill, Fla., in hot and steamy conditions. Article content In the opener of the three-country tourney, Canada was thrashed by a record 169 runs by the United States. Batting first, the host nation piled on 361 for just three wickets in 50 overs with Smit Patel playing a sensational knock of 152 off just 137 balls. His innings included 12 fours and four sixes and Patel received solid support from skipper Monank Patel (47) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (30). Article content Canada was favoured to top Oman in the second match, but fell short by 15 runs in an exciting finish. Article content Oman elected to bat first and finished on 217 for six, while Canada managed 202 with six balls left. The star for Canada in a losing cause was Pargat Singh, who struck 85 before losing his wicket in the 38th over.
Canada Standard
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Former Sri Lanka player Dassanayake earns second stint as USA coach
New Delhi [India], May 15 (ANI): Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's men's team, as per the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Dassanayake replaces Stuart Law in the top job, after the former Australia batter left the position towards the end of last year after leading the side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup they co-hosted with the West Indies. It is the second time Dassanayake has held the role as head coach with the USA, with the 54-year-old having previously enjoyed a three-year stint in charge from 2016-2019. During that time, Dassanayake helped the USA win their ODI status and establish themselves as a growing nation within the cricketing landscape. Dassanayake has since held head coaching jobs with Nepal and Canada and helped the latter to their first T20 World Cup appearance last year in the USA and the West Indies. With the USA already qualified for next year's T20 World Cup in India, Dassanayake is looking forward to leading the side in another global tournament and building on the platform he helped establish last decade. 'It's an honour to return and lead the USA Men's National Team,' Dassanayake said, as quoted from the official website of the ICC. '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,' he added. 'I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket,' he noted. Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka towards the end of last century, before moving to Canada and playing in their national side at the end of his playing career. (ANI)
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Pubudu Dassanayake returns as coach of USA men's cricket team
Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has returned as coach of the U.S. men's team, the country's cricket board said on Wednesday. Dassanayake, who succeeds former Australia batsman Stuart Law in the role, previously coached the side between 2016-2019 when it earned One Day International (ODI) status. '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,' the former Nepal and Canada coach said in a USA Cricket statement. 'I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket.' 🚨 USA Cricket proudly welcomes back Pubudu Dassanayake as Head Coach of our Men's Team! 🇺🇸 Read more here ➡️: — USA Cricket (@usacricket) May 14, 2025 The U.S. co-hosted the T20 World Cup with West Indies last year, stunning heavyweight Pakistan and making the Super Eight stage of the tournament. 'Pubudu is joining the organisation at a pivotal time,' USA Cricket Chief Executive Johnathan Atkeison said. 'Following the momentum of 2024, we are now focused on strong performances at the 2026 T20 World Cup and qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.' 'With his experience and vision, we believe Pubudu can help us achieve these goals.' Dassanayake, 52, played 11 Tests for Sri Lanka in the mid-1990s before moving to Canada and becoming captain of the team. Related Topics USA / Pubudu Dassanayake
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Former Sri Lanka player Dassanayake earns second stint as USA coach
New Delhi [India], May 15 (ANI): Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's men's team, as per the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Dassanayake replaces Stuart Law in the top job, after the former Australia batter left the position towards the end of last year after leading the side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup they co-hosted with the West Indies. It is the second time Dassanayake has held the role as head coach with the USA, with the 54-year-old having previously enjoyed a three-year stint in charge from 2016-2019. During that time, Dassanayake helped the USA win their ODI status and establish themselves as a growing nation within the cricketing landscape. Dassanayake has since held head coaching jobs with Nepal and Canada and helped the latter to their first T20 World Cup appearance last year in the USA and the West Indies. With the USA already qualified for next year's T20 World Cup in India, Dassanayake is looking forward to leading the side in another global tournament and building on the platform he helped establish last decade. 'It's an honour to return and lead the USA Men's National Team,' Dassanayake said, as quoted from the official website of the ICC. '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,' he added. 'I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket,' he noted. Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka towards the end of last century, before moving to Canada and playing in their national side at the end of his playing career. (ANI)
