New Delhi: Lasith Malinga on Thursday dropped a bombshell with regards to his retirement after leading his side to a win against UAE in the Asia Cup 2016.
The Lankan skipper's reply to a question on is retirement after the World Twenty20 was "might be".
The premier pacer also conceded that he was yet to fully recover from his current injury and the fact that complete recuperation might take close to two years.
"I have played 12 years for the national team. I am now 32 and will soon be 33. I have had a bad injury and if at this stage I have to take one or one and half years of rest, I would rather have to finish my career. If I need to play tough cricket for my country, I don't think I can then totally recover from the injury. That's why I am saying I don't know how many months or years are left in me. Whatever little I play, I want to serve the national team and my IPL team (Mumbai Indians) well," Malinga said.
For Malinga, he is ready to play through pain for the national team as the defending champions need him in the big event.
"This is not the right time to rest. We have the T20 World Cup and I am the most experienced bowler for Sri Lanka in this format. Whatever painkillers and injections that needs to be used, I will use as this is the end of my career. If I can do something for the team, I will do in these last few months may be. I am still only 60-70 per cent of where I want to be. But I am happy with the result against UAE though," said Malinga, who led from the front with a four wicket haul in a low-scoring game.
Malinga was in prime form in his team's win in their opening match of the tournament, picking up four wickets for 26 runs.
The Lankans will require more such performances from their leader in order to defend their crown.
(With PTI inputs)
