Sri Lankan Fast Bowler Lasith Malinga Ruled Out of World T20

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the World T20.

File photo of Lasith Malinga. (Photo: Reuters)

Sri Lanka’s World T20 title defence suffered a huge blow after fast bowler Lasith Malinga was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, the team said on Friday.

Malinga handed over the captaincy to Angelo Mathews last week due to a slow recovery from the injury and missed the Super 10 opener against Afghanistan on Thursday.

Malinga’s knee injury flared up before the match against Afghanistan yesterday, He has been ruled out of the World Cup and has flown back to Sri Lanka this afternoon.

A Team Spokesperson

The fast bowler with blond-tinted hair and an unorthodox action is not quite the same player who was a key figure in Sri Lanka’s progress to three World T20 finals in the last four tournaments.

He was, however, considered key to their success in India, where he has performed admirably in the Indian Premier League.

Sri Lanka team management on tour have observed that Malinga whose niggling injury has been flaring up would be better off resting it, and have recommended he return to Colombo.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Statement