COLOMBO – In a move that has sparked excitement across the cricketing world, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially announced today, December 30, 2025, the appointment of legendary pacer Lasith Malinga as the Consultant Fast Bowling Coach for the National Men’s Team.
The decision comes at a critical juncture as Sri Lanka ramps up its preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which the island nation will co-host alongside India starting in February.
The Role and Timeline
Malinga’s appointment is structured as a high-impact, short-term stint designed to fine-tune the team’s pace battery.
- Duration: December 15, 2025, to January 25, 2026.
- Primary Focus: Preparation and tactical development of the fast-bowling unit.
- Key Tournament: Building momentum for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, 2026.
During this period, Malinga will work closely with the squad during their home preparations, which include a vital three-match T20I series against Pakistan in January.
Why Malinga? The “Death Bowling” Mastery
Sri Lanka Cricket aims to leverage Malinga’s unparalleled expertise in the shortest format of the game. Known for his iconic sling-arm action and lethal yorkers, Malinga is widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 bowlers in history.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling (BBI) | Economy Rate | Career Highlight |
| 🌍 T20Is | 84 | 107 | 5/6 | 7.42 | First bowler to take 100 T20I wickets. |
| 🏏 ODIs | 226 | 338 | 6/38 | 5.35 | Only bowler with three ODI hat-tricks. |
| 🏟️ IPL | 122 | 170 | 5/13 | 7.14 | Long-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history. |
Beyond his playing stats, Malinga has built a formidable reputation as a coach and mentor. He has held coaching roles with the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and previously served as a bowling strategy coach for Sri Lanka in 2022.
The Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka, under the leadership of head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, is determined to reclaim its status as a T20 powerhouse. Having won the title in 2014 under Malinga’s captaincy, the team is looking to use the “Malinga Factor” to gain a psychological and tactical edge on home soil.
Sri Lanka has been placed in Group B for the upcoming World Cup, alongside:
- Australia
- Ireland
- Zimbabwe
- Oman
The Lions will kick off their campaign on February 8, 2026, against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With Malinga in the dugout, the focus will undoubtedly be on mastering the “death overs”—the phase of the game Malinga once ruled with clinical precision.
“Malinga’s vast international experience and renowned expertise in death bowling will be instrumental in strengthening our preparations for the global event,” SLC stated in their official release.
