Colombo, Sep 24 (IANS): Legendary cricketer Mahela Jayawardene has been appointed as the consultant of the Sri Lankan side for the first round of the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

Jayawardene will also act as a consultant and a mentor for the U-19 side after his stint with the senior squad in the build-up to the ICC U-19 World Cup in West Indies.

His tenure with the national side will last for a period of seven days between October 16-23 while his role with the Under-19 team will be for five months.

He will join up with the national side after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, where he is currently acting as the head coach of Mumbai Indians.

On his appointment, a statement by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board CEO Ashley De Silva read: "We are very happy to welcome Mahela into his new roles, as his presence with the Sri Lanka Team and the U19 Team is going to help the players immensely."

"From his playing days, Mahela was respected for the vast cricketing knowledge he brought into the game, first as a player, then as a Captain, now as a Coach for different teams."

Jayawardene, in a storied career for Sri Lanka, represented his national side in 149 Tests, 448 ODIs and 55 T20Is.