Malinga takes leave after mother-in-law’s death

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga will leave the World Cup to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral, but the pacer plans to be back for the team’s next match against Australia, the country’s cricket board said Tuesday.

The 1996 champions were awaiting the start of their game against Bangladesh, which was washed out in Bristol on Tuesday, when news broke that Malinga was scheduled to fly back after the match.

“Lasith Malinga will leave the team following Sri Lanka’s World Cup Game against Bangladesh, which will be played today, as his mother-in-law has passed away,” said a Sri Lanka Cricket release.

“The player is expected to join the team, before the team’s next World Cup game, which will be played against Australia on the 15th June, 2019.”

Dimuth Karunaratne’s side have earned four points from three games in the World Cup so far with a win against Afghanistan and two washouts against Bangladesh and Pakistan.