New Delhi: Sri Lankan cricket team's legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga on Tuesday announced his retirement from T20 cricket. Malinga has already retired from Tests and ODIs. The star speedster played for five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is the most successful bowler in the cash-rich league. The 2014 T20 World Cup winning skipper, Malinga holds the record for taking most wickets in the history of IPL.
Malinga has played 122 matches in the IPL and has picked 170 wickets. His best bowing figures in IPL are of five wickets for 13 runs. Last year, he had expressed his desire to play the T20 World Cup for Sri Lanka which was to be held in October-November 2020, but later the tournament was postponed due to Coronavirus.
Malinga was also not included in the 15-man squad that Sri Lanka selected for the T20 World Cup to be held in UAE and Oman this year.
All the major cricket teams around the world have announced their squads for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The island nation on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the marquee event, and have named Dasun Shanaka as their captain. Also, Dhananjay de Silva has been named as the vice-captain of this team. Last time Sri Lanka won the T20 World Cup was in the year 2014.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lahiru Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana.