Lasith Malinga's IPL Season With Mumbai Indians Yorked by Sri Lanka Cricket
Lasith Malinga and Sri Lanka Cricket have been at a standoff since the Asia Cup T20 in February. The board administration had asked the fast bowler to leave captaincy before the World Twenty20 last month in annoyance.
Highlights
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Lasith Malinga last played for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup T20
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Malinga plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL
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Malinga has played in 30 Tests and 191 ODIs for Sri Lanka
Miffed with Lasith Malinga's attitude of picking and choosing tournaments, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is reluctant to give the fast bowler 'No Objection Certificate' to play for the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). (Mumbai Indians Can Cope With Lasith Malinga's Absence, Says Shane Bond)
SLC chief Tilanga Sumathipala said that the current status of Malinga's fitness needs to be assessed before the board decides to give him the NOC. (Lasith Malinga Remains Doubtful for Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Game)
"He can't go without our permission. If he defies us and go, he can only return after sitting on the bench," Sumathipala said. (Lasith Malinga Out of Sri Lanka's World T20 Campaign Due to Injury)
Malinga and the new SLC hierarchy have been at a standoff since the Asia Cup T20 in February. The board administration had asked Malinga to leave captaincy before the World Twenty20 last month in obvious annoyance.
Although Malinga made it to Sri Lanka's World T20 team, he once again opted out of the crucial tournament, citing fitness issues.
As a result, Sri Lanka was forced to play the tournament without their main bowler, which turned out to be one of the main reasons for the defending champions' ouster from the World T20 in the first round itself.