‘We’ve to rehabilitate him’- Lasith Malinga on Shehan Madushanka’s suspension due to drug possession

Lasith Malinga, the veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler, has expressed disappointment after speedster Shehan Madushanka was suspended from all forms of cricket. The 25-year-old was meted out with the punishment since he was in illegal possession of drugs. The police said that the youngster was possessing two grams of heroin when he was caught in the town on Pannala on Sunday.

Back in January 2018, Madushanka became the fourth ever bowler to get a hat-trick on debut. He accomplished the feat against Bangladesh, dismissing Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Mahmudullah. Malinga rued Madushanka’s punishment since he believes that apart from being a decent fast bowler, the latter is also a decent fielder and an attacking lower-order batter.

His friends and family must help him: Lasith Malinga

“This is a talented player who took a hat-trick in his first ever game. Even I couldn’t render a performance like that. The most important thing about him is that he can bowl fast, a good fielder and an aggressive tail-ender batsman.

The only fast bowler we have as of now is Lahiru Kumara. If the World Cup is postponed until 2022, we’ll value someone who could bowl faster in a country like that,” Malinga was quoted as saying in an interview with NewsWire.

However, Malinga is determined to find the root of Madushanka’s problem and take him through the appropriate rehabilitation process. Malinga, the Lankan T20I skipper, understands that a player goes though a rough time and Madushanka’s family should also come forward in the situation.

“After his problem is solved legally, we should review as to why a talented player like him went through this, what societal impact made him do this, and we’ve to rehabilitate him. Every player goes through a bad patch. His friends and family must help him. I could be criticised for having this opinion, but that won’t change my stance,“ he added.

As far as Madushanka’s career is concerned, the Dhaka ODI remains to be his only game in the format thus far. He has also played a couple of T20Is, picking up as many wickets. His last competitive match was in the Premier League Tournament Tier A, representing the Badureliya Sports Club, in March.