Lasith Malinga Returns to Sri Lanka Team as T20 World Cup Coach

Lasith Malinga has been appointed as Sri Lanka's consultant fast bowling coach for a short-term period, effective from December 15, 2025, to January 25, 2026, ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Malinga, a legendary fast bowler and 2014 T20 World Cup-winning captain, will support the preparation and development of Sri Lanka's national fast bowlers, leveraging his vast international experience and expertise in death bowling. His appointment aims to strengthen Sri Lanka's pace battery for the World Cup, which they are co-hosting with India. With round-arm bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara both in Sri Lanka's preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup, and likely to make the final 15, Malinga will be especially well-placed to assist. Sri Lanka will benefit from Malinga's experience, especially in the lead-up to the tournament, as they also play home T20I series against Pakistan and England. Malinga's focus will be on fine-tuning Sri Lanka's pace attack for game-defining moments, rather than long-term rebuilding. With his guidance, Sri Lanka aims to sharpen tactical clarity, fast-bowling temperament, and end-game execution.