Lasith Malinga Appointed Bowling Consultant for Sri Lanka Cricket
Lasith Malinga Appointed Bowling Consultant for Sri Lanka Cricket: Sri Lanka is all set to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Ahead of the tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a major decision to further strengthen its team. One of Sri Lanka’s greatest fast bowlers, Lasith Malinga, has been appointed as the interim Fast Bowling Consultant for the national men’s team.
Lasith Malinga’s New Role and Tenure
Sri Lanka Cricket has clarified that Malinga’s primary focus will be on preparing the bowlers mentally and technically for the upcoming World Cup.
- Tenure: December 15, 2025 to January 25, 2026.
- Main Objective: Improving death-over bowling and developing young fast bowlers.
Preparing to Capitalize on Home Conditions
The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on February 7, 2026 at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo.
Since Sri Lanka is a co-host of this tournament, the board believes that a legendary player like Malinga will be most effective in teaching bowlers precise strategies on home pitches.
Lasith Malinga’s Exceptional Career
| Details | Statistics/Achievements |
|---|---|
| T20I Matches/Wickets | 84 matches / 107 wickets |
| Best Performance | 5 wickets (for 6 runs) |
| IPL Career | 170 wickets (Mumbai Indians) |
| World Cup Record | 2014 T20 World Cup Winning Captain |
World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka’s Schedule
Sri Lanka has been placed in Group B for the World Cup. The team’s main matches and challenges are as follows:
- Group Opponents: Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.
- First Match: February 8th vs. Ireland (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo).
- Preparation: A 3-match T20 series against Pakistan in January, just before the World Cup.
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