COLOMBO, July 17: Sri Lanka’s national cricket team manager and ex-captain Hashan Tillekeratne denied reports that he had been sacked from his post just two days after being appointed.

“No one has informed me that such a decision has been taken. I am working with the team and was at practices today,” Tillekeratne told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Local media reports said Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge refused to endorse Tillekeratne’s appointment as manager for the Test and One-day International home series against India because of his political allegiance.

The 41-year-old Tillekeratne is a member of the main opposition United National Party.

It was not immediately possible to contact Sri Lanka Cricket officials or Lokuge.

Tillekeratne played in 83 Tests and scored 4,545 runs. In 200 One-day internationals he made 3,789 runs. He was a regular national player for 15 years from 1989 and led the team in 10 Tests from 2003.—AP