Lasith Malinga is one of Sri Lanka's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, but he is finding his way back in the national side. AFP
Lasith Malinga is one of Sri Lanka's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, but he is finding his way back in the national side. AFP
Lasith Malinga is one of Sri Lanka's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, but he is finding his way back in the national side. AFP
Lasith Malinga is one of Sri Lanka's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, but he is finding his way back in the national side. AFP

Sri Lanka 'certain' Lasith Malinga will come good at the Asia Cup


Amith Passela
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At 35, Lasith Malinga may find it challenging to operate at the same level as he used to during the height of his career.

But Sri Lankan cricket team manager Charith Senanayake believes class is permanent as far as the flamboyant fast bowler is concerned.

What has not been permanent for Malinga in recent times is a place in the national side. A combination of long-term injury concerns, especially regarding his knee, and an awkward relationship with Sri Lanka's cricket fraternity has seen the right-armer being left out in the cold.

As fate would have it, though, the man who tormented the world's best batsmen with his toe-crushing yorkers for much of the past one-and-a-half decades has been recalled for the Asia Cup, to be held in the UAE from September 15-28.

Senanayake certainly rates "Slinga Malinga" - known as such for his low-arm action - as one of the elite pacemen in the country, despite the latter's recent circumstances.

Sri Lanka team manager Charith Senanayake, right, seen here in 2016 with Sri Lanka cricketer Angelo Mathews. AFP
Sri Lanka team manager Charith Senanayake, right, seen here in 2016 with Sri Lanka cricketer Angelo Mathews. AFP

"Malinga has been a consistent performer at the T20 level, even in the recent past," he told The National.

“He is still a very effective bowler - if not the best in Sri Lanka - in powerplay overs and at the death [the last overs of a limited-overs match]."

Malinga, who has taken 301 wickets since making his one-day international debut 14 summers ago, last appeared for Sri Lanka in an ODI in September 2017, against India in Colombo.

But recent form - he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Global T20 League in Canada - proved compelling enough for the national selectors to throw him a lifeline, even though they had overlooked him for a one-off T20 at home against South Africa.

With the World Cup less than a year away, the Asia Cup could not only prove crucial to Malinga's career but also to Sri Lanka's fortunes in England next year.

Senanayake believes his selection will be a win-win for both player and team. "I am certain that he will come out good, and it will be a significant boost for Sri Lanka’s near-term ODI plans," he said.

Still hopeful about Chandimal

Sri Lanka batsman Dinesh Chandimal is yet an uncertainty to play in the Asia Cup. Reuters
Sri Lanka batsman Dinesh Chandimal is yet an uncertainty to play in the Asia Cup. Reuters

Malinga's return will be welcome news to Sri Lanka, especially given the uncertainty surrounding two key players.

Test captain Dinesh Chanimal has been laid low by a hairline fracture on the middle finger of his right hand, while off-spinner Akila Dananjaya may be unavailable for the first two games as he awaits the birth of his first child.

“Chandimal, hopefully, will be fit and ready to tour,” Senanayake, the former opening batsman said, while conceding Dananjaya's absence will be "a slight setback".

In the latter's place, Sri Lanka have picked Dilruwan Perera, a fellow off-spinner who has taken 125 Test wickets but has yet to establish himself in the limited-overs side. “Dilruwan is an experienced bowler and there is no reason why he will not make a positive contribution,” Senanayake said.

Sri Lanka face Bangladesh in their Group B opener in Dubai on Saturday, with Afghanistan being the other team in the pool. Group A includes India, Pakistan and Hong Kong, who beat the UAE in the cup qualifier final in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week.

The Sri Lankans will arrive in the UAE on the back of a strong home series against South Africa, against whom they won the two-Test series and the one-off T20, although they lost the five-match ODI series 3-2 in between.

Nonetheless, the mood in the camp is excellent.

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More on Asia Cup:

Qualifier: Dougie Brown 'gutted' as UAE are forced to watch Asia Cup from the sidelines

Lowdown: Everything you need to know about the tournament to be held in the UAE

Indian cricket fans in UAE left disappointed by Virat Kohli's Asia Cup absence

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Sri Lanka have the 'big mo'

Akila Dananjaya, centre, and his Sri Lanka teammates enjoyed a successful home series against South Africa. Reuters
Akila Dananjaya, centre, and his Sri Lanka teammates enjoyed a successful home series against South Africa. Reuters

“Absolutely,” Senanayake said when asked if Sri Lanka have momentum on their side. “Three consecutive limited-overs wins [two ODIs followed by one T20 against the Proteas] to finish the series will give this young team a lot of confidence and belief going forward.

"It certainly helps us to have played a lot of limited-overs cricket recently."

Sri Lanka are expected to win both their group games, but Senanayake is taking nothing for granted.

“That [topping the group] certainly will be Sri Lanka’s immediate goal,” he said. “However, there are no guarantees as both of these teams are very capable of beating any opposition on their day.”

Senanayake also believes whoever qualifies for the second round of matches - titled 'Super Four' - will be good enough to win the title.

“Afghanistan are more than capable of an upset or two,” he said.

“Even though the spotlight will be on India and Pakistan, once you cross the boundary line and the umpire calls ‘play’, the pressure is equal on all teams.”

Off-field distractions

Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, left, is leading a revival in Sri Lanka's fortunes on the field. AFP
Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, left, is leading a revival in Sri Lanka's fortunes on the field. AFP

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which runs the sport in the island nation, has seen many setbacks in recent times, ranging from continued interference of politicians, allegations of corruption and mass resignations of selectors. This has led the sports ministry to take over the administration of the board until elections are held on an unspecified date this year.

Senanayake, though, believes players from the subcontinent have learnt to take such off-field matters in their stride and get on with the game.

“Professional athletes are trained to focus on the job at hand and block out [distractions] if there are any,” he said. “The team spirit has been very positive, and the boys are looking forward to continuing to improve and build on their recent success.”

He said this spirit extends to the management, too, especially between himself and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.

“We go a long way back in time, as I was his opening partner on his Test debut in Hamilton,” said Senanayake, who made his highest Test score of 64 in an opening stand of 95 with Hathurusinghe during their 1991/92 tour of New Zealand.

“Hatu is hard working and a perfectionist in every aspect all his life," he added. "We have a cordial working relationship.

"Though I have worked with many other coaches in the past, working with him is a unique experience.”

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Need to know

The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours. 

The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.

When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend  are  January-February and September-October.  Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.

Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.

Score

Third Test, Day 1

New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

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China

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UAE

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Japan

5

Norway

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Singapore

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

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South Korea

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars