Want my team to qualify for the World T20 knockout stage: Lasith Malinga

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: He may be very fearsome with the ball but outside the ground, the man carries a different aura. Here is Lasith Malinga, the captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team.

It would be the first occasion when the cricket fans of Guwahati will witness him in action in the city. After nearly two hours of work-out with the team members, Malinga came straight to the media conference and instantly struck a chord with the media persons. There was a smile in his face when one reporter asked about his plan on retirement from international cricket.

Malinga, who already quit Test cricket and ODI, is on the verge of retirement from international cricket and he himself admitted it today. “I just want to see my team qualify to the knockout stage at this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. I would never mind retiring anytime after that.”

Coming back to the 3-match T20I series against India which will begin tomorrow at the ACA stadium, Barsapara, Malinga said they would try to target Jaspirt Bumrah, his teammate in Mumbai Indians, who is returning to international cricket from an injury.

“Bumrah is returning from injury and it is difficult to make a comeback. We want to use that to our advantage.”

On record, India is far ahead of Sri Lanka in the bilateral T20I series. But Malinga felt the T20 format is very unpredictable and that the team wins who plays better cricket on a particular day.

“We are looking for a new start in the New Year. T20 is an unpredictable format. Anybody can win on a particular day and anyone can change the momentum of the game in a single over,” said the Sri Lankan captain.

The 36-year old pacer also admitted that this series will give a good exposure to his side which comprises many young cricketers. “It’s a young side and I want to give them an opportunity. They are talented but lack experience. If our young cricketers can play well in the series, it would give them much needed confidence for the coming T20 World Cup and beyond that.”

When asked whether the toss can play a crucial role in this match because of the dew factor, the captain replied: “Dew plays a role. But the condition will be the same for both the teams.”

Also Read: Veteran Sri Lanka Pacer Lasith Malinga Rises in T20I Rankings

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