Published: Mar 07, 2016, 04:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 07, 2016, 05:24 PM (IST)
Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya has backed Angelo Mathews to lead Sri Lanka in the ICC World T20 2016, scheduled to be played in India from March 8. Lasith Malinga stepped down as Sri Lanka captain just moments ago and Jayasuriya has thrown his weight behind Mathews, who leads the team in One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Tests. “Angelo Mathews should be made Sri Lanka captain for ICC World T20 2016,” said Jayasuriya during the Salaam Cricket conclave in Delhi. Sri Lanka managed to beat just United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the group stages of the Asia Cup T20 2016. Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. READ: Lasith Malinga steps down as Sri Lanka captain ahead of ICC World T20 2016
Malinga had apparently written to the Sri Lanka Cricket Vice President Mohan de Silva offering to step down as captain. “He will continue to make himself available for selections,” de Silva said. He played just the opening match of the Asia Cup in which Sri Lanka fared very badly. The islanders eventually crashed out of the tournament losing to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in what was their worse run in T20 history. READ: ICC World T20 2016: Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews included in Sri Lanka squad
Jayasuriya has also tipped the likes of South Africa, India, New Zealand and West Indies as favorites to win the World T20. Sri Lanka play their first match of the ICC World T20 2016 against one of the qualifying teams. They also have the likes of England, South Africa and West Indies in their group. Sri Lanka are the defending champions going into the ICC World T20 2016 and will be looking to put up a better show in this tournament after flopping in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2016. READ: Angelo Mathews may not be Sri Lanka’s ideal T20I captain following Lasith Malinga’s resignation
