Jayawardene named Khulna Titans head coach

Jayawardene replaces former Australia cricketer Law, who has taken the job as the head coach of the West Indies cricket team

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has been appointed head coach of the Bangladesh Premier League franchise Khulna Titans for the next two seasons of the tournament.

Jayawardene has played the 2016 season of the BPL Twenty20 for Dhaka Dynamites. Following his retirement from international cricket in 2015, the Sri Lanka cricketer featured in T20 leagues around the globe.

There have been occasions when a team hired him both as a mentor and a player. This will be the Lankan legend’s second stint as a coach following his grand success with Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians. Mumbai clinched their third IPL title defeating Rising Pune Supergiant in the finale of the 10th edition of the tournament earlier this month.

“We are excited to have Mahela Jayawardene join the Titans as head coach for next two editions of BPL. He has always been a great leader on the field and has won big tournaments for Sri Lanka. We were thrilled to see him win the IPL recently as the coach of the Mumbai Indians. I am sure all of us Titans will learn a lot from him and the tournament will be enriched by his presence” said Khulna Titans Managing Director Kazi Inam Ahmed.

Jayawardene will replace former Australia cricketer Stuart Law, who has taken the job as the head coach of the West Indies cricket team and will not be available for Khulna Titans in BPL season 2017-18. The fifth edition of the Bangladesh domestic T20 tournament is set to start from November 4 this year.

“I enjoyed playing in the BPL last year and that has given me a great insight into what will be required to be successful in the 2017 tournament,” said Jayawardene.

“BPL is an exciting tournament for Bangladesh, as well the region as a whole, and I am excited to be partnering with one of the most respected and forward-thinking franchises, Khulna Titans, in the league,” the former Sri Lanka captain added.

Led by all-rounder Mahmudullah, Khulna Titans in their maiden appearance in BPL last year had reached the second stage of the tournament finishing second in the league phase with 14 points. They eventually finished third following the playoffs. (Dhaka Tribune)