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Malinga to retire from international cricket after WT20 in 2020
23 Mar 2019
Sri Lanka's veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga has decided that he will retire from international cricket after the ICC World T20 next year.
Malinga, who is set to retire from ODIs after the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales this year, will call it quits from the game following the Twenty20 tournament.
Here's more on Malinga.
Malinga makes an important decision
Fact
"After the World Cup, my cricketing career is ending. I want to play in the T20 World Cup and then end my career," said the veteran pacer. Sri Lanka lost the second T20I against South Africa.
Malinga will be wanting to head out strongly
T20I
Malinga, who picked up one wicket in the second T20I, now has 97 scalps in the format and needs two more to surpass all-time leader Shahid Afridi (98).
He will be wanting to head out with a bang and helping Lanka in the WT20 in 2020.
Earlier, Malinga had led Lanka to WT20 title win in 2014.
They beat India in the final.
Malinga has been a trump card for Lanka in T20Is
Fact
Malinga has featured in 72 T20Is and has bagged 97 scalps at an average of 19.28. His sound economy-rate of 7.25 makes him one of the most consistent bowlers in the format. The WT20 in 2020 is in October-November and will be held in Australia.
Malinga will look to inspire an under-performing Lanka
Inspiration
Malinga will be wanting to lead Sri Lanka well in the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
He has picked up 322 wickets from 218 ODIs and will want to use his experience well.
Malinga returned as skipper of the Lankan limited-overs side in December 2018.
The Lankans haven't done well in white ball cricket in recent times.
They are yet to taste success.
IPL 12: Malinga to miss first six matches for MI
Malinga IPL
Malinga will miss the first six matches for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2019.
The veteran will be featuring in the Super Provincial One Day domestic tournament instead.
The Lankan selectors made it mandatory for national cricketers to participate in the same.
Malinga, who was a part of the support staff last season for MI, was bought for Rs. 2 crore.
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