Lasith Malinga indicates retirement before World Cup, shares a message on Whatsapp group

Lasith Malinga indicates retirement before 2019 Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka cricket is already going through a lot of turmoil faced another challenge when Malinga shared a message on group. Sri Lanka cricket board announced the World Cup team and named Dimuth Karunaratne as their captain. Possibly disappointed by the decision, Malinga has now hinted at retirement.

He had a call with Sri Lanka’s chief selector Asantha de Mel before sending the message on group. Malinga sent a message in the Sinhala language which read, “api bima naevata piyava gaeniata samat ve tanapativarayet. deviyan vaanse mata pitupasin ma sahaya kala siyalu denatama asirvada,” (which translates to, “we won’t be able to meet again on the ground. God bless to everyone who was behind me and supporting me. Blessings.”)

The new captain Dimuth Karunaratne last played an one-day international match for his country in 2015 World Cup. The idea of Sri Lanka cricket was to announce the team first and then name the captain but the speculations in the media forced them to name Dimuth Karunaratne as their captain.

Sri Lanka have won the Cricket World Cup once in 1996, which was held in India. Sri Lanka reached 2011 finals which they lost to India. 2019 Cricket World Cup will take place in England and Wales, starting from May 30. Sri Lanka will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 1 in Cardiff.

Sri Lanka World Cup squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (WK), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep.

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