Lasith Malinga to play for Mumbai Indians

Malinga is expected to join the MI camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday and he may be available for selection in the crucial fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Virat Kohli.

Sri Lanka pace veteran Malinga is expected to join the MI camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka Cricket has cleared Lasith Malinga to play the Indian Premier League. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka’s chief national selector, Ashantha de Mel, spoke to the pacer in Colombo and it was decided that he will be available for the entire tournament for Mumbai Indians.

“It has been decided that he will not play the domestic tournament and will be available entirely in the IPL. We spoke at length today, and that’s what we discussed,” Mel told Sportstar .

The SLC had earlier announced that only those players would be eligible for selection in the World Cup squad, who would compete in Super Provincial One-Day domestic tournament, slated from April 4 to 11.

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That made Malinga doubtful for the first six matches of the IPL. There were also speculations that if he would play in a couple of matches for MI, Malinga might have to head back to Colombo again for the domestic tournament in middle of the IPL. But Mel said it won’t be the case.

“He was cleared for the IPL long back, and this tournament was scheduled recently. So, we have decided to allow him for the IPL,” he said.

Malinga is expected to join the MI camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday and he may be available for selection in the crucial fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Virat Kohli.