Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka need Murali and Malinga to hit ground running

Colombo: If Sri Lanka to have a chance to become the only Asian team to win two World Cup in the sub-continent, they have their two main weapons, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan, to find their form - fast.

co-hosts were one of the pre-tournament favorites to win the exhibit, but the 11-Run defeat on Saturday in Pakistan are some glaring weaknesses in their bowling arsenal.

Muralitharan had to capture the opponent batsmen with his mysterious powers of flight and spin, but instead has been leaked runs to rank outsiders, such as Canada.

In the first match he was the most expensive of the attack in Sri Lanka.

Figures out counter of 2-38 on the value of 4.22 against a bunch of part-time workers in Hambantota are unlikely to view the statistics of the world's most prolific wicket-seller would shout about.

He was the most economical of the Sri Lankan boilers against Pakistan, but picked up only one wicket, his success would hardly have set Sri Lanka to beat.

But at least Muralitharan has participated in all activities, how can say about Malinga.

27-year-old man, who made his name in 2007 World Cup by claiming four wickets in four balls against South Africa, not even tested one step ahead.