Malinga steps down as SL captain ahead of World T20, replaced by Mathews

Injury-ravaged pacer Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s captain for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh.

Injury-ravaged pacer Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s captain for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh.

Angelo Mathews will now captain Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game. (AP Photo)

Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to their maiden World T20 title in the 2014 edition, is battling a nagging knee injury.

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

SLC Vice President Mohan de Silva said Malinga had written to the SLC on Sunday night offering to step 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 only the opening match of the Asia Cup in which Sri Lanka fared very badly.

The islanders eventually crashed out of the tournament losing to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in what was their worst run in T20 history.