Malinga likely to miss Mumbai's next two matches

Malinga likely to miss Mumbai's next two matches
Lasith Malinga, left, is congratulated by Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma on dismissing Chennai Super Kings opener Shane Watson. AFP

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians are likely to be without the services of veteran Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga for the next couple of their Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

Malinga has made himself unavailable for the games against Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 6) and Kings XI Punjab (April 10) as he will be participating in Sri Lanka's Super Provincial One-Day domestic tournament, slated from from April 4 to April 11, in a bid to make it to the World cup team. He will play for Galle in the Super Provincial one-day tournament.

At the beginning of the IPL, it was announced that Malinga would skip the first six matches for Mumbai to play the domestic tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) later allowed him to feature in the IPL, saying that the level of competition would be higher and help him prepare better for the big event.

After missing Mumbai's first match against Delhi Capitals, the speedster played the second against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 28. He also featured in the next two matches against Kings XI Punjab on March 30 and Chennai Super Kings on April 3.

"I had asked the board for the No-Objection Certificate for me to play in the IPL, and they had said that was fine, but that all players who want to go to the World Cup would need to stay back for the provincial tournament," Malinga had earlier told ESPNcricinfo.

"So I told them I'd play in the provincial tournament, and I asked the board to inform Mumbai Indians and IPL, since it was their decision. I'm ok with losing those earnings from IPL. I'm doing it for the country," said the Sri Lankan, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 2 crore.

Malinga had worked as a bowling mentor for Mumbai Indians last year.

Malinga is currently the ODI skipper and is likely to be picked in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad given that he has again emerged as the team's best ODI bowler over the past six months.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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