Following the consent from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday (March 25), Sri Lanka veteran pacer Lasith Malinga is likely to turn out for his Indian Premier League (IPL) team Mumbai Indians (MI) soon. Well, Lankan officials have handed over no-objection certificate (NOC). Thus, he will feature in the ongoing IPL 2019 season.
The 35-year-old Malinga is expected to feature in next two matches for Rohit Sharma-led Indians.
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), had lashed out at the SLC. Malinga is the part of Lanka’s domestic day-long competition which has been made mandatory by its Board. It’s seen as an essential exercise ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Further, the committee has reiterated those players who will serve in the day-long tournament, will be entitled to the World Cup selection.
IPL 2019: Malinga to March for Mumbai:
The Sri Lankan chief selector Ashantha de Mel cited that Malinga is a proven white-ball bowler, so he doesn’t expect any question regarding his selection.
“Anyway he has been one of our best bowlers in one dayers, so there’s no question about his place in the team,” Mel stated.
From behind the scenes, BCCI has been in touch with SLC to decide their stance over Malinga. Mel maintained that the Board has no issues whatsoever with Malinga featuring in the IPL.
“We have no issues if he goes to IPL – the board had given him a no-objection certificate already, so he’s free to go,” said de Mel.
Meanwhile, Malinga will represent Galle-based side in the much-awaited home-bound tournament for the Islanders. The tournament will run between April 4 and 11 respectively.
However, the BCCI has requested the SLC to allow senior Indians’ bowler to feature in the cash-rich tournament.
While going by this move, Malinga will participate in Indians next two games. The blue brigade is will face Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on March 30 at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
IPL 2019: Malinga is the highest wicket-taker
Besides, they will take on the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 3 at historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The SLC earlier made it clear that World Cup-bound players are liable to partake in the competition. The selectors wanted to gauge the level of players ahead of the ODI showpiece.
The multi-nation event will kick-off on May 30 in London.
Meanwhile, the Board is eyeing to push its players to go under conditioning camp in Scotland. They will start their World Cup campaign on June 1st against New Zealand at Sophia Gardens.
In the meantime, Malinga’s return will be a sigh of relief for Indians’ camp following their 37-run loss against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede on March 24.