Lasith Malinga Confident Of Playing T20 World Cup 2021; Says “I Can Still Bowl 24 Balls”

Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning captain Lasith Malinga said that he is fit enough to bowl 24 balls in a match and is confident of playing in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 to be played in the UAE and hosted by the BCCI.

Malinga is inarguably the greatest fast bowler Sri Lanka has produced and has tormented many prominent batters with his thunderbolts, leading Sri Lanka to some prominent victories during his prime. However, he has not played international cricket since March of 2020.

Fitness issues and the COVID-19 pandemic has made Lasith Malinga take a step back and think about the future. Also, he has not been able to clear the SLC policy of completing a 2km run in a specific time limit to become eligible for national selection.

I’m Not Going To Retire. I Can Still Bowl 24 Balls: Lasith Malinga

The veteran fast bowler, who is retired from Tests and ODIs, asserted that he can bowl 24 straight deliveries and is good enough to play T20s, and confident of playing in T20 World Cup 2021.

“It’s not about the T20 World Cup, I’m not going to retire. I can still bowl 24 balls. I am not able to complete the 2km and run. That’s why I’m staying home. I can however bowl for about two hours without any issue. I can bowl 24 straight balls, I can even bowl 200 balls, but because of the 2km fitness test, I’m staying home because I know I can’t complete it,” Malinga said while featuring on Russel Arnold’s YouTube show.

“I took 4 wickets in 4 balls against New Zealand at Kandy, I was 35 years old at that time. Nobody complained about my tummy or fitness on that occasion,” Malinga asserted.

Lasith Malinga also called time on his franchise T20 cricket career and will only be available for the Sri Lanka T20I team. The former Sri Lanka team will be eager to play in the upcoming T20 World Cu 2021 to be played in UAE. However, the talismanic pacer might not get a place in the squad if he doesn’t pass the mandatory fitness Test.

Also Read: Pakistan Should Have The Advantage In The T20 World Cup: Kamran Akmal On Pakistan Stands To Benefit With UAE Hosting The T20 World Cup