World Twenty20: Malinga a doubt for Sri Lanka-Afghanistan tie

Lasith Malinga is unsure if he will be fit for Sri Lanka’s first game of the World Twenty20 against Afghanistan on Thursday.

The paceman claimed impressive figures of 4-26 against United Arab Emirates last month in Sri Lanka’s only victory at the Asia Cup, but played no further part in the tournament due to a knee injury.

Angelo Mathews last week replaced Malinga as T20 captain as the quick continued to be troubled by an injury that he described as a “bone bruise”.

Malinga flew out to Kolkata on Sunday to join up with the squad, but said only time will tell if he is able to feature when Sri Lanka start the defence of the title they won in Bangladesh two years ago.

He said: “This is a bone injury that cannot be operated or treated medically. I am having only some injections [not pain killers] to make it heal. The only remedy for it is rest,

“I will practice in the next few days with the team and see how my knee is taking up the pressure. If I don’t feel any pain I will play in the opening match, but if not it is a decision for the selectors to make.”

Sri Lanka face West Indies three days after their opener against Afghanistan before taking on England and South Africa.