Lasith Malinga steps down as captain of Sri Lanka

A terrible performance from the Sri Lankan side has seen many questioning the chances and the participation in the upcoming World T20. To make matters worse, Lasith Malinga has stepped down from the position effective immediately.

Malinga tendered his resignation to the Sri Lankan cricket board following his injury-ravaged season that has seen him not feature in key matches. Malinga, who had sustained a minor niggle sat out of the tour of India, where the Lankans were rather comprehensively beaten in the final T20Is of the three match series. He made a comeback to the side for the Asia Cup and hit the chords immediately when he picked up 4/26 against a side of gritty Emiratis. However, a recurrence of the injury meant that he would miss the rest of the Asia Cup and a good chunk of the upcoming World T20 as well.

Angelo Mathews, the skipper in the other two formats will be expected to take over ahead of the likes of Dinesh Chandimal or even Tillakaratne Dilshan. Reports also suggest that Lasith Malinga wrote to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) last night offering to step down as skipper of the national side.

SLC Vice President Mohan de Silva said Malinga had written to the SLC last night offering to step-down down. “He will continue to make himself available for selections,” de Silva said.

It is speculated that the SLC management is unhappy with Malinga’s policy of selecting games and tournaments to play based on his recurring injury.

Malinga led the Lankans to victory in the 2014 edition of the World T20 in Bangladesh. They beat heir adversary, India in the final at Dhaka courtesy of a magnificent knock from legend Kumar Sangakkara.

Malinga played just the opening match against the UAE, where Sri Lanka won a hard-fought encounter. He missed the subsequent matches, none of which was won by the Islanders.