Reports: Lasith Malinga to be available for Mumbai Indians next two games

There has been a lot of controversy on Lasith Malinga’s availability for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He was recently in South Africa leading Sri Lanka in the ODI and T20I series and the tour concluded on Sunday. However, it was earlier reported that the veteran pace bowler will miss the first six matches of the IPL for his team with SLC making it compulsory for the players to feature in the domestic One-Day tournament.

The condition was subject to being picked in the World Cup squad and Malinga agreed to do so. Though he told the board to inform the same to the BCCI and the Mumbai Indians after which the Indian board slammed the SLC. Now, according to the reports in ESPNCricinfo, Malinga will be available for his franchise for the next couple of matches. There is no much update about his availability for the rest of the tournament as of now.

“We have no issues if he goes to IPL – the board had given him a no-objection certificate already, so he’s free to go. Anyway, he has been one of our best bowlers in one-dayers, so there’s no question about his place in the team,” Sri Lanka’s chief selector Ashantha de Mel said while speaking on the matter.

MI to get Malinga boost

Mumbai Indians’ (MI) bowling attack looked weak in the previous game and the return of Lasith Malinga certainly bodes them well. Though he isn’t a force he used to now, the way the veteran bowled in the recent series against South Africa, he will definitely be a threat to the opponents in the IPL. He also knows the dynamics of the Mumbai Indians and it will surely make the difference to the team.

MI also needs him desperately after losing yet another opening game of the season last night against the Delhi Capitals in front of their home crowd.

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