Lasith Malinga steps down as Sri Lanka captain ahead of World T20

Sri Lanka emerged as winners of the World T20 in the year 2014 which was led by Lasith Malinga. (Source: Reuters File)

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.

Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to their maiden World Twenty20 title in the previous 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 of the game, Sri Lanka Cricket sources said.

SLC Vice President Mohan de Silva said Malinga had written to the SLC on Sunday night offering to step down 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 just 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 worse run in T20 history.