Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli bade farewell to cricket coach Pubudu Dassanayake at his residence in Baluwatar on Saturday.

Amid a special meeting at his residence, Oli thanked Dassanayake for his service to Nepali cricket and expressed gratitude towards him for taking Nepali cricket to new height.

Nepal was placed in fourth rung of non-test playing nation of world cricket when Dassanayake took over four years ago. Nepal reached the ICC T20 World Cup and was promoted to Division One during Dassanayake’s reign as the team’s coach.

“This is not a farewell. This is a re-invitation from the Nepal government. Nepali cricket still needs you,” Oli said the outgoing coach. Dassanayake said he was ready to return to Nepal if needed and said he was thankful for the love and affection he received from the Nepali people.

Oli gave a Nepali Dhaka Topi and a Nepali Khukuri to the cricket coach as souvenir.