Malinga, who said that he wanted to retire after the ICC World Cup in June 2019, changes his mind and wants to play more.
Before the IPL 2020 auction, Mumbai has retained their high-class bowler, Lasith Malinga. His unconventional tactics and precise use of yorkers are just a few of his staples. He made his debut in 2004 and since then, has been performing extremely well. Now at 36 years old, his ability to shift the game in his team’s favour through unusual, unorthodox actions is what sets him apart from more conventional bowlers.
Malinga, who currently captains Sri Lanka in T20Is, said in March that he wants to retire after the Twenty20 World Cup which will take place from October to November. But just recently, he had a change of heart and now wants to play for two more years. He also said that he is waiting for Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision on whether he will lead a team in the next Twenty20 World Cup.
‘T20 is four overs and I feel with my skill, I can manage T20 as a bowler. As a captain, because I’ve played so many T20s around the world that I feel I can manage that period for maybe another two years’, said Malinga.
Malinga also added that the only way he could contribute to Sri Lanka cricket is by continuing to play. It is worth mentioning that Malinga is the only bowler to have taken 100 wickets in the shortest format of the game. He said that ‘Sri Lanka need continuity in leadership for changing their fortunes’.
‘Sri Lanka are lacking that skillful bowler, they lack those consistencies. We can’t get one year, one and a half years, all fixed, it might be that we need to get patience, maybe two or three years. Consistency is very important. I feel whoever is doing the next selection have to understand that (for) people (to learn), they have to be there. If he’s on the bench, nobody can learn’.
Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in two Tests from December 11 through 23. Afterwards, they will face India in three T20Is in January 2020. To find out more about Sri Lanka's future matches, visit Betwala's page.
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