Even though Lasith Malinga has retired, Matisha Pathirana came up in the discussion about his bowling action. This time another 'Malinga' came to the Sri Lankan team to create a storm of momentum. Who became the first in the country's fast bowling competition to bowl at a speed of 141 km per hour. The name of this new pacer of the Lankan team is Ishan Malinga.
Sri Lanka will start the New Year in New Zealand. Will play an equal three-match ODI and T20 series against the Kiwis. Ishan Malinga has been called up to the Sri Lanka team for the first time for the ODI series of this tour. This 23-year-old pacer got a call to the national team after attracting attention in domestic cricket.
Ishan started domestic cricket in 2022. He played 16 first-class matches and took 39 wickets at an average of 28.74. Played 12 List 'A' matches and took 20 wickets. Ishan also played in this year's LPL (Lanka Premier League). He first came to Sri Lankan cricket's radar in 2019, winning the country's fast bowling competition.
However, the rise of Ishan began in 2024. Catches attention by showing control with consistent pace in bowling. He signed a contract with Jaffna Kings in 2024 LPL. But he played only 1 match in the whole season. Ishan also got a team in this year's IPL (Indian Premier League) mega auction. Sunrisers Hyderabad bought the pacer, who regularly played for the Sri Lanka 'A' team in all formats.
Ishan Malinga has been named in Sri Lanka's 17-man ODI squad in place of the out-of-form Madushanka. Even after returning from injury this year, he could not match himself in that way. Although he was the third highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup last year, Madushanka has taken 14 wickets in 11 ODIs this year. The Lankans will play the first ODI of the series against the Kiwis on January 5, in Wellington. The next two matches will be on January 8 and 11.
Sri Lanka ODI Team: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nishanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kushal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Lienage, Nuanidu Fernando, Dunith Welalaghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahish Tikshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asita Fernando, Mohammed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Ishan Malinga.
