Ishaan has 8 wickets in 8 matches

Ishan Malinga has performed brilliantly in recent months. He has climbed rapidly in the bowling rankings. After making an impressive debut in the Indian Premier League in 2025, Malinga got a chance to make his international debut in November. He has taken 8 wickets in eight T20 matches in his career. During this period, his strike rate has been 17.1. Sri Lanka has not selected any other player in place of Malinga in the team for the third T20. Pramod Madushan is the only other frontline seamer available in the team. Madushan was seen as a cover for Dushmantha Chameera since the beginning of the series, now he is expected to be included in the playing eleven.

ICC approval required for replacement

Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet finalized its World Cup team. In such a situation, there is uncertainty about Malinga’s place in the 15-member players. Any changes after the January 31 submission deadline will require approval from the ICC, which could create further difficulties in the decision-making process.

If Sri Lanka wants to make a change, then they have no dearth of pace-bowling options. Madushan and Nuwan Thushara are at the forefront in this matter. Madushan will have a chance to prove himself in the final match of the series against England. Thushara, on the other hand, has been performing consistently in Sri Lanka’s T20 setup over the past year.