Lasith Malinga to miss Champions League and Zimbabwe tour

Lasith Malinga

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga is set to miss Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe and the Champions League due to personal commitments.

Both, the Sri Lankan cricket board and Mumbai Indians confirmed that they have received Malinga’s leave request.

“We haven’t had the time to approve his request yet, because we only got it from him on Friday. But since it is a personal reason, I don’t think there will be any problem,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

Malinga will spend his off time with his wife and family as they expect their second child in September. Malinga is currently in Caribbean for Guyana Amazon Warriors CPL franchise and played two matches for them, including Saturday’s final.

The absence of Malinga in the Champions League means that he will have to forego 20% of his annual IPL salary. The Champions League will start on September 21 while Sri Lanka’s limited-over matches in Zimbabwe begin on October 26.