Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that the speedster will return home as he has not recovered from his injury.
Advertisement
“Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who joined the Sri Lanka team in India this past week, will be returning to Sri Lanka today”.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) committee is expected to name a replacement, but this is a big blow for the side as they were relying on Malinga to come through and contribute towards defending their T20 World Cup title. Vandersay was included in the initial squad, but was withdrawn at the last minute before the team left for the tournament.
Malinga, who was Sri Lanka’s T20I captain before Angelo Mathews took over for the World T20, has played only one global match this year – against United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup where he finished with 4 for 26.
Malinga was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Malinga made a lone trip to India skipping the warm up games against New Zealand and Pakistan after he was named in the 15-man squad.
Advertisement
De Silva added: “The selectors will select a bowler out of Seekkuge Prasanna, Jefferey Vandasay and Kasun Rajitha to replace Malinga”.
