Malinga unsure about his cricket-future

Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Veteran Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga is contemplating his career after the pacer failed to make his spot in the team for the upcoming T20Is against Bangladesh.

“I’m not sure to what extent I’ll be able to carry on playing in the future,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Malinga as saying.

“Right now I am thinking of playing in the domestic one-day tournaments to see what my injuries are like. But I haven’t made a decision on anything,” he added.

Troubled by injuries, Malinga has not been the Sri Lankan selectors’ pick in recent times. He also remained unsold in the recently concluded IPL player auctions.

Though the 34-year-old would not be playing in the 11th edition of the IPL, he would still be associated with the league being the bowling mentor of Mumbai Indians.

Talking about his stint as mentor, Malinga said, “I’ve learned a lot about cricket and bowling through my career, so it would be great to have the opportunity to pass that knowledge on to a younger group of players.”

“I’ve already been able to do that a little with Jasprit Bumrah at the IPL. If the Sri Lankan team wants me, I think it would be great if I could help the next generation of Sri Lankan bowlers also,” he said.

Talking about his injuries, Malinga showed some ambiguity on his selection in the Sri Lanka squad for the next World Cup but said he would even enjoy being a consultant for the side.

“I don’t know how my injuries will hold up, and whether I will be picked for the next World Cup. But if I can go as a consultant even, that would be a joy for me,” he expressed.

At many instances in the past, Malinga had been instrumental in formulating the bowling plan for Sri Lanka that even won them the 2014 World T20.

In 2017, he was acknowledged by the selectors saying the cricketer has been a support for the less experienced bowlers on the side. (ANI)