Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya will remain captain of the national side, an official said on Sunday, after he offered to step down following his team's loss in their World Cup semi-final against Australia last week.

"Sanath has agreed to continue with the captaincy," said Charnika Munasinghe, media manager of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.

Jayasuriya handed in a letter of resignation on Saturday after the defeat by Australia in a match that many commentators felt the Sri Lankans had a chance of winning because it was played on a pitch suited to their style of cricket.

Munasinghe said the national team selectors had decided not to accept his resignation.

The 33-year-old left-hander has been Sri Lanka's most exciting batsmen over the past seven years after making his breakthrough in the 1996 World Cup and helping win the trophy.

Sri Lanka will play in Sharjah next month in a triangular tournament with Pakistan and South Africa.

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 4 Sub: jayasuriyas resignation There's no doubt jayasuriya is great cricketer and grate captain to the sri lankan team for past few years.but from my personel knowladge i think ... Posted by prasad kac Sub: sanath is great Sanath should continue as a captain because there is no one out there to lead the side right now.Moreover what can he do if batsmen ... Posted by lankanlion Sub: Sanath is great!!!!!!!! Sanath is a great captain after Arjuna.There is no doubt about it and Jayasuriya'a resignation rejection is a good decision made by Borad of control ... Posted by lankanlion Sub: Correct Decision to reject resignation!!! The decision by Srilankan Cricket Board is welcome change in the present scenario where Captains are made scapegoats for their team's performances. After all inspite ... Posted by FAREED