Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI: Lasith Malinga ruled out due to sickness

Lasith Malinga ruled out due to sickness

After losing the first ODI to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka are in for some bad news ahead of the second contest. Star bowler Lasith Malinga has now been ruled out due to an illness that was diagnosed as viral influenza, keeping him from playing his 300th game for Sri Lanka. The medical team has advised him to take rest for 24 to 48 hours. This is the second casualty that viral influenza has claimed this week, after Chinaman Lakshan Sandakan was left out of the first ODI. Zimbabwe miraculously chased down 317 runs set by Sri Lanka, courtesy Solomon Mire’s 112. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – 2nd ODI

Malinga could get a chance to play in his 300th game in the third ODI versus Zimbabwe if selected, as Sri Lanka have announced squad only for the first two games. The 2nd ODI will also take place at Galle with the third being played at Hambantota.

Malinga has lately been in the news for all the wrong reasons, after he lashed out at the country’s sports minister He had publicly ridiculed the minister’s knowledge of cricket, saying that catches are missed in any game and implying that he was no more than an armchair critic. He further added that nobody had raised fitness issues when Sri Lanka defeated India during a league game in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Malinga has since been handed a one-year ban by the Sri Lankan board, which as of now has been suspended for six months. He will also be fined 50 per cent of the match fee subsequently.