Lasith Malinga to retire from international cricket after T20 World Cup 2020

Lasith Malinga is currently leading Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series against South Africa. He will most probably be picked as the captain of the team in the World Cup which will take place in England and Wales later this year. The fast bowler is set to hang his boots from the ODI format after the World Cup and it would be one of the honours for him if he will bid adieu being the skipper of the side.

Having said that, Lasith Malinga has clarified that he will continue playing in the shortest format of the game. He also went on to add that his career will end after the T20 World Cup next year which will be hosted by Australia in October-November.

“After the World Cup, my cricketing career is ending. I want to play in the T20 World Cup and then end my career,” he was quoted as saying by India TV after the second T20I against South Africa which Sri Lanka lost.

To miss IPL as well

Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga has also been ruled out of the first six matches for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will be playing in the domestic One-Day tournament to confirm his place for the World Cup. Moreover, the Malinga himself suggested the franchise to look for his replacement for the entire season.

“I had asked the board for the No-Objection Certificate for me to play in the IPL, and they had said that was fine, but that all players who want to go to the World Cup would need to stay back for the provincial tournament. So I told them I’d play in the provincial tournament, and I asked the board to inform Mumbai Indians and IPL since it was their decision. I’m ok with losing those earnings from IPL. I’m doing it for the country,” he said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

“Once I become available for Mumbai Indians, I would have missed seven or eight games. So there’s probably no point in them waiting around for me. Better for them to find someone else to replace me with,” Malinga further added.

[interaction id=”5c94cd8913563a5742fface7″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.