Lasith Malinga Steps Down as Sri Lanka Captain Ahead of T20 World Cup

Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka's captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh. (Lasith Malinga Hints at Retirement After Starring in Sri Lanka's Win vs UAE in Asia Cup 2016)

Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2014, is battling a nagging knee injury. (Asia Cup: Lasith Malinga Admits he is Not Fully Fit After Guiding Sri Lanka to Win)

All-rounder Angelo Mathews, who leads Sri Lanka in ODIs and Tests, will now be the captain in all three formats, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sources said.

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.

He played just the opening match of the Asia Cup in which Sri Lanka fared very badly. The Lankans eventually crashed out of the tournament losing to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in what was their worst run in T20 history.