Owais Shah replaces Jon Lewis as Dambulla coach

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka's former batting coach Jon Lewis, who was to join the Dambulla team for the LPL as its Head Coach, has been replaced by the franchise's new owners, it is learnt.

According to sources, the new owners had decided to appoint former English batsman Owais Shah to the role instead. 

Lewis was even present at the player draft last month and made the selections for the Dambulla team -- then the Dambulla Hawks. 

The Dambulla franchise have since been renamed twice, first the Dambulla Lions and then the Dambulla Viiking, as per the updated logo released by the LPL.

It is understood that the new name was a change made by the new ownership.  

Indian actor Sachin Joshi is the new owner of the franchise and he is believed to have expressed his desire to make a few other changes in the composition of the team and is keen to add few Pakistani players including Kamran Akmal. 

It is not known whether Dasun Shanaka, who was named captain earlier, has been consulted for the changes and whether he would continue to lead the side.