Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga ruled out of World Twenty20
Friday 18 March 2016 12:02, UK
Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the rest of the World Twenty20 with a knee injury.
Malinga - one of the most recognisable players in world cricket - has a bone bruise on his left knee.
He flew out to India earlier this week hoping to take part in the tournament but the injury flared up ahead of Thursday's victory over Afghanistan and he will now return home.
The 32-year-old paceman, with an unorthodox slingy action, has claimed 78 international T20 wickets and was considered key to Sri Lanka's success in India having performed admirably in the Indian Premier League.
"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.
The selectors will choose Malinga's replacement after practice matches between the remaining players in the World T20 squad to be played in Colombo later on Friday.
Sri Lanka will take on 2012 champions West Indies in their second Group One match in Bangalore on Sunday.
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