In a recent massive development, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of Lasith Malinga, the legendary fast bowler, as the fast bowling coach for the Men’s National team. He has been appointed to help Sri Lanka with preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka crashed out of the previous edition of the T20 World Cup after some helpless bowling; hence, this time around, as the hosts of the tournament, they have taken measures to prepare their players better for the World Cup.
The Lankans struggled with their performance in the Asia Cup as well, where they failed to advance into the finals after having made it to the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025. They lost all matches against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the super-4 stage.
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Lasith Malinga’s appointment is a massive step by Sri Lanka Cricket
The Lankan pace attacking deck has many stars, but what they lack is experience. Sanath Jayasuriya brought back hope within the Lankan side; now, Lasith Malinga’s appointment can be equally effective for the two-time T20 World Cup champions. Lasith Malinga is Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in T20s and is also a World Cup-winning skipper for the Lankans.
Malinga’s experience of T20 cricket can come in handy for pacers like Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thusara, and Dusmantha Chameera in the Lankan T20I side. His appointment is temporary, from the 15th of December to the 25th of January, and his role would be limited to the preparation for the World Cup.
They will be using Malinga’s immense expertise as a death bowler, particularly in the shortest format of the game. Malinga, during his career, featured for several franchises across different leagues in the world.
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Lasith Malinga as the Consultant – Fast Bowling Coach for the National Men’s Team.
His appointment is on a short-term basis for a period of one month, effective from 15th December to 25th January 2026.
Malinga will support…— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) December 30, 2025
Sri Lanka is placed in the same group as Australia, Oman and Ireland
The tournament is scheduled to start on the 7th of February, and the tournament will begin at the SSC in Colombo on the 7th of this month. The co-hosts of the tournament have been placed in the same group alongside Australia, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe.
They will play the first match against Ireland on the 8th of February in Colombo, while the second match will be played in Pallekele against Oman and Australia on the 12th and 16th of February. They will conclude their campaign against Zimbabwe on the 19th of February in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup
Rest assured that Dasun Shanaka will be named as the captain of the Sri Lankan side for the ICC T20 World Cup. Spin bowling all-rounders have formed the core of the team, as Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage offer balance with both the 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 back on the 19th of December, and several players will be snubbed to pick a final 15-member squad for the World Cup.
Sri Lanka 25-member Preliminary Squad for T20 World Cup: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Traveen Mathew.
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