World Cup T20: Dinesh Chandimal suspended for one match due to slow over-rate; Lasith Malinga to captain

Dinesh Chandimal

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal has been suspended for one game as a penalty for slow over-rates in the ongoing T20 World Cup at Bangladesh. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga will lead the side in his absence against New Zealand on Monday. Sri Lanka have won 2 out of their 3 matches so far, losing their latest one to England. They need to win against New Zealand to improve their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

ESPNcricinfo tweeted:

Dinesh Chandimal suspended for one game over slow over-rates. Lasith Malinga to lead in the crunch #wt20 game v New Zealand on Monday.

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 28, 2014

This could well be a blessing in disguise for the Lankan side depending on whom they replace him with, as Chandimal appears to a misfit in this format of the game, more so when he is played at number 5. Not only does he not contribute anything but delays at least one of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera almost in every game.

The only way that Chandimal can make an impact in T20s is by opening the batting, a spot that seems to be locked in the Lankan side with the likes of Kushal Perera, Mahela Jayawerdene and Tillakaratne Dilshan competing for it. However, with the retirement of Kumara Sangakkara and Jayawerdene after this World Cup, it could be a lot easy for the youngster, who has shown promise in Tests and ODIs albeit being inconsistent.