Legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga in collaboration with Singer Sri Lanka kicked off the ‘Singer Pace Hunt with Lasith Malinga’, a national fast-bowling talent search and development programme aimed at identifying and nurturing Sri Lanka’s next generation of pace bowlers.
The inaugural selection session of the programme was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, drawing an enthusiastic group of young cricketers from across the island who aspire to represent Sri Lanka at the highest level. Designed for fast bowlers aged 17 to 22, the initiative seeks to identify players with potential and guide them on a structured pathway towards professional cricket.
The programme received an overwhelming response, with over 3,000 applications from young cricketers across the country. From these, 350 applicants were shortlisted to take part in the first selection phase, which required them to complete a rigorous 2km fitness and endurance run to assess their stamina and athletic ability.
Those who successfully completed the fitness assessment progressed to the next round of evaluations, where they were required to demonstrate their bowling speed by delivering balls exceeding 135 km/h. Participants who successfully met the required benchmark advanced to the next stage of the programme where they will be mentored and trained under the guidance of Lasith Malinga in the coming year.
Speaking about the initiative, Lasith Malinga said, “I started this initiative to give back to cricket in Sri Lanka for all that it has given me. I am determined to support the growth of the game and help our team continue to evolve, giving cricket in our country every chance to thrive. I would like to thank Singer Sri Lanka for stepping forward to support this initiative, as well as Sri Lanka Cricket for their continued encouragement.”
Also expressing his views, Mahesh Wijewardene, Group Managing Director of Singer Sri Lanka said, “At a time when Sri Lankan cricket is looking to rebuild and rediscover its strength, we felt it was the right moment to stand behind an initiative that nurtures the next generation of players. Just as Singer proudly supported the game during Sri Lanka’s historic triumph at the 1996 Cricket World Cup, we are pleased to partner with Lasith Malinga and contribute to the future of cricket in our country.”
Both Singer Sri Lanka and Honor have longstanding ties with cricket in the country, reflecting a deep commitment to the sport’s development. Singer has supported Sri Lanka’s cricketing ambitions for decades, including during the 1996 World Cup triumph, while Honor has expanded this legacy by sponsoring both the men’s and women’s national teams in recent years.
‘Singer Pace Hunt with Lasith Malinga’ represents the first of several talent identification camps scheduled to take place this year. At the culmination of the programme, the top 20 performers will receive the opportunity to be recommended for selections at the Sri Lanka Cricket Fast Bowling Academy, offering them a direct pathway to professional cricket. By connecting youth with professional pathways and real-match experience, the programme aims to leave a lasting impact on the country’s cricketing future and inspire aspiring athletes nationwide.
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