Champaka Ramanayake set to stay with Bangladesh

Sri Lanka’s former fast bowler Champaka Ramanayake’s coaching contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to be extended, it is learnt.

The 56-year-old is associated with the High Performance team and the team’s recent success against Ireland’s “A” team (Bangladesh HP team won all the matches) may have prompted the BCB officials on Tuesday to agree in principle to extend his contract, which expires in July this year.

Ramanayake is returning to Sri Lanka on Friday for about two months as his team in Bangladesh has no immediate series to play.

“It will be a good opportunity to meet my family and friends in Sri Lanka,” he said on Thursday.

“(This trip) will be able to assist my two sons to fine tune their bowling skill.”

Two of his sons have played First Class cricket and featured in U-19 World Cups.

“My eldest son Hashen has left for England to play for a club there.the middle son (Himesh) is playing club cricket here and my youngest son (Sandesh, 16 years) is playing for Royal College”.

“During my vacation, I also plan to meet national hero Lasith Malinga”. Ramanayake has been Malinga’s mentor for all these years.

“Malinga had an offer for Mumbai Indians too but like last year, this year also he has declined it because of the Covid situation.”

It is not known whether Ramanayake would be involved with the Bangladesh squad during two Tests against Sri Lanka. The BCB selectors are yet to finalise the squad but the composition of the team is unlikely to be more than 20 players.

Sri Lanka will host the visiting team for two Tests matches in Kandy (April 20-24 and Apr 28- May 2).