Injury-ravaged pacer Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s captain for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India, following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh.
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Former Sri Lanka skipper and prolific batsman, Aravinda de Silva has been named the Chairman of the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Kumar Sangakkara and Romesh Kaluwitharana are the other major names in the new five-member panel, which also includes former Sri Lanka offspinners Ranjith Madurasinghe and Lalith Kaluperuma.
Altogether Sri Lanka have not relished much accomplishment in the past few months. In December-January, the team also lost the Test, ODI and Twenty-20 global series against New Zealand away from home.
De Silva, already served as Sri Lankan chief selector in 2010 is known for his aggressive batting and getting out to rash shots which earned him the nickname of “Mad Max”.
The installment of a new selection panel at such short notice suggests that changes to Sri Lanka’s World T20 squad may be made on Tuesday – on the very day the team is scheduled to depart to India. Ironically, it was Malinga who was captain when Sri Lanka won the last World T20 held in Bangladesh in 2014. Madurasinghe played in three Tests between 1988 and 1992.
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He has been struggling with a knee injury but hopes to return for selection for their first group-stage match on 17 March. Angelo Mathews will lead the team in his place.
