Chandra Shaffter back as manager

Chandra Schaffter, a former Sri Lanka fast bowler of the pre-Test era, was appointed manager of the national cricket team for the fourth time on Thursday.

Schaffter (72) will take over from Air Commodore Ajith Jayasekera for the tours to Pakistan, Sharjah and England.

The Sri Lanka team under Sanath Jayasuriya leaves for Lahore on Sunday to play in the final of the Asian Test Championship (ATC) against Pakistan.

Jayasekera was manager of the national team for the past 14 months.

"The change has been made in the best interest of Sri Lanka cricket and the cricketers," said Cricket Board cricket committee chairman Michael Tissera.

Schaffter, managing director of Janashakthi Insurance, was manager of the national side in 1982, 1991 and 1999.