In a statement yesterday, ZC said Atapattu has been roped in for the duration of Zimbabwe’s tour to Bangladesh starting from January 15.

Atapattu siccedes batting coach Andy Waller who was relieved of his duties on October 25 last year. Atapattu is also a former Sri Lanka batsman and captain who went into coaching after retirement.

He has coached Canada and Singapore and was Sri Lanka batting coach from 2011, before taking over as head coach from April 2014 to September 2015, when he resigned.

Before his retirement, Atapattu played 90 Test, 268 ODI and two Twenty20 International matches for Sri Lanka.

Atapattu's contract will be reviewed after the Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh, with a view to entering into a longer relationship, the Zimbabwe Cricket said.