Nothing to do with luck: Malinga

For all his deadly yorkers and a great assortment of slower deliveries, Lasith Malinga is a gentle soul. Beneath that unruly curly mop lies a shrewd cricket brain, and a smile is never far away, not even when he is, on the rare occasion, being taken apart by the batsmen, reports Wisden India.

Malinga seemed the least likely of individuals to steer Sri Lanka to a world title, but on Sunday (April 6) night at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, he managed what illustrious predecessors such as Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara couldn't - lay his hands on a global trophy.

In the Twenty20 International swansong for two of Sri Lankan cricket's most celebrated sons, Malinga led the side from the front, marshalling his troops astutely and bowling with customary impact in the final overs. His first over had gone for 8, the second for 10 but his last two, the 18th and 20th overs of the Indian innings, produced only 9 to make sure his batsmen didn't have to chase more than 131 in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 2014.

Malinga hasn't had more than sporadic success against India, his critics quick to pan his participation in the Indian Premier League for his lack of effectiveness against India's batsmen in general and Virat Kohli specifically. Malinga has taken the criticism in his stride but in his personal moment of glory and on an emotionally exhilarating night for Sri Lankan cricket, he couldn't help but get his own back.

India made just 66 in their last 10 overs despite having nine wickets in hand. "I think it's because of the IPL. Since I play in the IPL, I have a fair understanding of Indian players and I could control their batsmen and use my bowlers to contain them," he said, without malice but keen to make his point. "I've learnt everything from the IPL. I'm really happy to play in the IPL."

Malinga came in to the tournament as vice-captain to Dinesh Chandimal, took charge on a temporary basis when Chandimal was banned for one match for a slow over-rate offence, and led in his own right in the semifinal and final as the Sri Lankans took a calculated punt by leaving out their designated skipper for Lahiru Thirimanne. Malinga, who is a ten-year veteran in international cricket, said he took confidence from the resources under his command, and that luck had played no part in his team's march to the title.

AFP report adds: Sri Lanka prepared to throw its biggest party since the end of the country's ethnic conflict after beating India in the final of cricket's World T20 tournament, officials said Monday.

Cricket officials said arrangements were being made for a ticker-tape parade in central Colombo on Tuesday after an outpouring of jubilation in a country that has been at war for much of its post-independence history.

The victory on Sunday night in Dhaka came 18 years after Sri Lanka's triumph in the 50-over World Cup, which had been followed by a series of defeats in the finals of major tournaments.

An official source said the authorities tried to fly the national team home on Monday, but logistical issues prevented an early celebration.

Sri Lanka's cricket board (SLC) said it planned to hold a press conference at the airport Tuesday before driving the team in an open top bus to their main office and on to downtown Colombo where tens of thousands of fans are expected to give the players a heroes' welcome.

The team is also due to call on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, officials said.