Mahela Jayawardane will play the role of consultant coach for his national Sri Lankan team during the first round of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Former Sri Lankan player, Mahela Jayawardane has been assigned as Sri Lanka’s team consultant for the first round of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Dubai, which will begin on October 17.
In group A, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, and Namibia will contest in which two of them will qualify for super 12.
Jayawardane is currently playing the role of Head Coach for the IPL’s most winning franchise, Mumbai Indians.
He will join the national side after the conclusion of the IPL. Sri Lanka will take his services in the mega event only for seven days between October 16 and 23.
He will also play the role of a consultant and a mentor for Sri Lanka’s under-19 side in the build-up to the next year’s ICC World Cup in the West Indies.
An official SLC statement said that his five-month role with the under-19 side will be performed in an ‘honorary’ capacity.
“He will share his vast experience and provide invaluable strategic support for the players and management team during a 7-day period from 16-23 October when the team will play Namibia, Ireland, and the Netherlands as they seek to qualify for the Group Stages,”
the SLC added in the statement.
“We are very happy to welcome Mahela into his new roles, as his presence with the Sri Lanka Team and the U19 Team is going to help the players immensely,”
said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“From his playing days, Mahela was respected for the vast cricketing knowledge he brought into the game, first as a player, then as a Captain, now as a Coach for different teams,”
De Silva added.
His appointment is based on the recommendation made by the SLC’s technical advisory committee.
Former Sri Lankan skipper, Jayawardane has earlier played the role of a batting consultant for England’s men team in 2015.
He has been the most successful head coach of the IPL history, under his guidance Mumbai Indians won two consecutive titles in the last two seasons.
He has represented Sri Lanka in 149 Tests, 448 ODIs, and 55 T20I.