Graeme Labrooy, Sri Lanka's Chairman of Selectors, has said that fast bowler Lasith Malinga will be back for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan that gets underaway after the upcoming ODIs in UAE.

Malinga has struggled since his return and has managed only 10 wickets in 13 games at an average of 62. He was subsequently axed from the ODI squad for the five-match series against Pakistan. 

"We had a chat to some of the players who did not make this tour and were trying to see what their thinking was and then we shared our thinking. We are trying to bring Lasith back for the T20s," Labrooy told.

Adding on he said that "We have stressed on the fitness of the players. There are minimum standards set now. That's one reason why we are not rushing Angelo Mathews. We want him 100 per cent fit with a long Indian tour coming up."

This year, Sri Lankan cricket hit new lows with Test and ODI whitewashes to South Africa and India. They also suffered their first-ever ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe, before losing a Test match to Bangladesh for the first time. The Test series win over Pakistan on Tuesday was a shot in the arm for the Sri Lankans after some heavy defeats.

"I am glad for the boys. They needed the win very badly. Playing away from the pressure back at home must have helped. They struck to their guns and believed in their plans and delivered those wins. I hope they can build on that confidence and take it forward from here," Labrooy noted.

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