Lasith Malinga doesn't expect to play next year's World Cup

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga was stupendous in his team’s second ODI against England at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The ace speedster picked up five wickets and conceded only 44 runs in his 10 overs to break the backbone of the Three Lions batting lineup. It goes without saying that he is currently one of his team’s most reliable bowlers.

The Galle-born pacer is also expected to play a crucial role for the Islanders in next year’s World Cup in England and Wales. In the meantime, the 35-year-old veteran mentioned that his chances of playing the mega event are bleak. He also reckons his performances in the Global Canada T20 and his country’s domestic cricket have helped him make a comeback.

I’m nearing the end of my career

“I feel that if I get the chance to play the World Cup, I will. It will be my last World Cup. I’m not expecting to get the chance, given the kinds of things that have happened to me over the recent past. But I will take it if it is given,” Malinga was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

“The selectors are entitled to make those decisions, I’m just a player. My only job is to play when I get the chance. When I was out of the team, I went and played in Canada. I also played the district competition and got the highest wickets.

Thanks to those performances I got another chance at this level. Because I’m nearing the end of my career I’m motivated to get wickets,” he added.

Malinga made his international comeback in the recently concluded Asia Cup where he was his team’s standout bowler. In the first match against Bangladesh, he got four wickets including the ones of Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan. However, the superlative spell of bowling couldn’t help Lanka evade a massive defeat. He also couldn’t save his team from getting knocked out after the first round.

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