Allrounder Sachith Pathirana has been appointed as Sri Lanka U-19 team spin bowling coach, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Few weeks ago, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) had interviewed few candidates, including Pathirana and another former national cap Sajeewa Weerakoon.
“After interviewing all the candidates, Sachith has been appointed for the role. Accordingly, he will start working with U19 team as spin bowling coach from October 1” a senior SLC administrator told Cricket Age.
The 31-year-old all-rounder has appeared in 18 ODIs and five T20s for his country, with his most recent appearance for them coming against India on home soil in December 2017. His record in first-class cricket is equally impressive, as he has taken 320 wickets in 94 matches, at an average of 30.57, and includes 21 five-wicket hauls. He has also had success with the bat, making 3,714 runs, striking three centuries and 22 half-centuries, with his highest score of 168 coming for Colombo against Bloomfield in January last year.
Though still not retired officially, he has made big strides as a Coach as well. A level 3 certified coach, Sachith was the head coach of Badureliya Cricket Club in 2018, who play in Tier A of the Sri Lankan First Class Domestic Cricket set up. In the same year, he was the cricket consultant of Kandy Cricket Club. In the ongoing season, he is coaching Furness Cricket Club.
As a player, Sachith had captained Sri Lanka U-19 team, played two U-19 world cups.
He still holds the Sri Lanka record for most number of junior tours and still holds the record of highest international wicket taker in the U-19 age group as well.
