Lasith Malinga returns as Sri Lanka ODI, T20I captain against New Zealand

Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been appointed Sri Lankan captain for the ODI and Twenty20 series against New Zealand

Only three months after returning to the international cricket, veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been appointed Sri Lankan captain for the ODI and Twenty20 series against New Zealand.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has removed Dinesh Chandimal as the captain, who has been consistently captaining Sri Lanka in the ODIs and T20s for some time. Now, the captain of the team for the limited overs has also been replaced by the selection committee.

The latest squad for the shorter forms of the game was ratified by President Maithripala Sirisena in the absence of a sports minister, the cricket board said.

The New Selection Committee has handed Malinga the team's command for the one-day and Twenty20 series to be played on New Zealand tour. At the same time, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has been made vice-captain of the team.

Malinga was struggling with his form and fitness over the last one year.

Recently, he made a comeback to the national team during the Asia Cup played in September. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play three ODIs and a T20 game on New Zealand tour in January, next year. 

Sri Lanka squad

Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vc), Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis,Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara.