In a recent major development, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the fast bowling coach for the men’s national team. He has been appointed to help Sri Lanka in its preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Some poor bowling resulted in Sri Lanka being eliminated from the last edition of the T20 World Cup; So, this time, as the host of the tournament, they have taken measures to prepare their players better for the World Cup.
The Lankans also struggled with their performances in the Asia Cup, where they failed to progress to the finals after making it to the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025. They lost all the matches against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super-4 stage.
Lasith Malinga’s appointment is a big step by Sri Lanka Cricket
There are many stars in the Lankan pace attacking deck, but they lack experience. Sanath Jayasuriya brought hope back to the Lankan side; Now the appointment of Lasith Malinga can be equally effective for the two-time T20 World Cup champion. Lasith Malinga is Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in T20 and is also a World Cup winning captain for Sri Lanka.
Malinga’s T20 cricket experience can be useful to fast bowlers like Mathisha Pathirana, Nuwan Thusara and Dushmantha Chameera in the Sri Lankan T20 team. His appointment is on a temporary basis from December 15 to January 25 and his role will be limited to World Cup preparations.
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Lasith Malinga as Consultant – Fast Bowling Coach for the national men’s team.
His appointment is on a short-term basis for a period of one month, with effect from December 15 to January 25, 2026.
Malinga will support…– Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) 30 December 2025
Sri Lanka has been placed in the same group as Australia, Oman and Ireland
The tournament is scheduled to start on 7th February and the tournament will start on 7th of this month at SSC, Colombo.
Sri Lanka preliminary squad for 2026 ICC T20 World Cup
Rest assured that Dasun Shanaka will be appointed captain of the Sri Lankan team for the ICC T20 World Cup. Spin bowling all-rounders in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga have formed the core of the team, Dhananjay de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Velez provide balance with both bat and ball.
A total of 13 players from the T20 World Cup squad for 2024 have been retained for this edition as well. The squad was announced on 19 December, and several players would be overlooked to select the final 15-man squad for the World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s 25-man preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjay de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Mathisha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Mahesh Theekshana, Zenith Liyange, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pawan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachige, Wanindu Hasaranga. Dunith Velalej, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Ishan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth and Traveen Mathew.
Also read: Official announcement of England’s ODI, T20 squad for Sri Lanka tour; jofra archer out
