Malinga eyes retirement after Canadian T20

Sri Lanka’s leading pace spearhead Lasith Malinga is mulling retirement from the international scene following the ongoing Global T20 Canada series, Ceylon Today reliably learns.
The 34-year old Malinga is leading the Montreal Tigers
in the ongoing Canadian T20 series and is currently leading the wicket tally with 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 11 and economy rate of 6.60.
Ceylon Today understands that Malinga believes he will be selected to represent Sri Lanka during the home series against South Africa based on his present performance. However, whether he is selected or not he is contemplating retirement. If he is selected to represent the country he will bid adieu after playing; if not, immediately after returning to SL following the Canadian series.
Malinga has represented Sri Lanka in 30 Tests, 204 ODIs and 68 T20s and skippered the team in the ICC World T20 finals in 2014 where SL emerged champions. Malinga last played for Sri Lanka on 6 September 2017.
Incidentally, Malinga had many off field issues during his hey-day, including a war of words with then Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara. He also lashed out at SLC regarding pitch fixing allegations during a brain storming session organized by the Ministry of Sports to uplift cricket in Sri Lanka, but his allegations were not taken seriously and has been sidelined since.  Malinga was a fearsome paceman in his prime, but his speed and accuracy declined with age and during the latter stages he was considered only as a T20 specialist. His career was also hampered by multiple injuries