Sri Lanka great Lasith Malinga shared valuable tips to his 'junior' Matheesha Pathirana ahead of his international debut against Australia.
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Sri Lankan teenage sensation Matheesha Pathirana is in safe hands ahead of his possible international debut against Australia in the first of three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) against Australia on Tuesday as he was coached by fast bowling great Lasith Malinga ahead of the series. Pathirana impressed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and was called-up for national duty at the back of his fine performance.
Pathirana grabbed the limelight for his slinging bowling action which resembles Malinga. He was nicknamed ‘Junior Malinga’ for his action and will be looking to start his era on a fine note after getting valuable tips from Malinga himself. The former Sri Lanka fast bowler was recently named the ‘bowling strategy’ coach for the national team.
“Sri Lanka Cricket is confident that Malinga’s vast experience and renowned death-bowling expertise, especially in the T20 format, will help the team immensely going into this all-important series,” SLC further added in the statement. Malinga held the same position when Sri Lanka toured Australia earlier this year. He was involved in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals as their bowling coach earlier this year.
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Pathirana, 19, featured in two matches for CSK in the IPL 2022 and will be looked as one of the future youngsters who can be groomed in the franchise. He picked up the wicket of Gujarat Titans’ opener Shubman Gill in his very first delivery to make a dream start and scalped a total of two wickets in as many matches. He was also backed by CSK captain and veteran MS Dhoni for his bowling which he suggested will be difficult for batters to read.
