Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has announced the appointment of former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene as a ‘consultant’ for the first round of upcoming men’s T20 World Cup next month.
The Sri Lankan legend is currently in UAE in bio-bubble with Mumbai Indians (MI) as head coach in the ongoing second phase of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Jayawardene will move from IPL bubble to another when the Sri Lankan team arrive in UAE as they begin their campaign against Namibia in Group A match of the qualifiers.
Sri Lanka’s Group A includes Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia as they did not get a direct entry into the quadrennial event that was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Jayawardene led Sri Lanka to their maiden T20 World Cup title win in 2014 when they won the final against India. The legendary batsman has been an integral part of the five-time IPL champion MI who are currently defending their title.
The 44-year-old is Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-scorer in ODIs and second-highest in Test cricket. He has 25,688 international runs from 587 games.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Dhananjaya de Silva (Vice-Captain), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama.
Reserves: Lahiru Kumara, Pulina Tharanga, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya.
