Sri Lanka star bowler Lasith Malinga will not play any part in the ongoing ICC World T20 2016 in India. The 32-year-old fast bowler was ruled out of the tournament Friday, after aggravating the injury in his left knee.
Malinga didn't feature in Sri Lanka's first game of the competition against Afghanistan Thursday, and has to leave without being able to play any part in the competition.
"Malinga's knee injury flared up before the match against Afghanistan yesterday," a team spokesperson was quoted by Reuters. "He has been ruled out of the World Cup and has flown back to Sri Lanka this afternoon."
The selectors are expected to name his replacement over the next few days.
"Sri Lanka team management on tour have observed that Malinga whose niggling injury has been flaring up would be better off resting it, and have recommended he return to Colombo," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
Malinga, who remained instrumental in Sri Lanka's ICC World T20 win in 2014, played just one match for the Lankan Lions in the Asia Cup T20 2016. He had requested the Sri Lanka Cricket Board earlier this month to allow him to step down from his duties as the skipper of the side, citing the injury problems.
Angelo Matthews is the present captain of Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game.
