Sri Lanka recalls Lasith Malinga for Asia Cup

The 35-year-old comes back after a year in limbo.

Lasith Malinga’s last international match was a Twenty20 against India in September, 2017.

Sri Lanka’s cricket selectors on Saturday recalled fast bowler Lasith Malinga after an year in limbo and included him in a 16-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup.

The injury-prone 35-year-old had been largely ignored since his last One-Day International (ODI) appearance in September last year against India in Colombo when he took just one wicket for 35 runs. Sri Lanka had lost that match by six wickets.

Good form

However, official sources said he had impressed selectors during an ongoing domestic T20 series and has now been included in the one-day squad for the Asia Cup tournament opening in the United Arab Emirates in two weeks.

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Malinga has taken 301 wickets in his ODI career that began in July, 2004. In the shortest form of the game, he has taken 90 wickets.

• Angelo Mathews (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.