IPL 2018: Lasith Malinga given ultimatum to leave IPL and return home

Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga on Wednesday was asked to leave the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and return home immediately.  

The Sri Lanka Cricket ordered Malinga to play domestic cricket or forget being recalled for the national side.

The pacer was not retained by Mumbai during IPL 2018 auctions.

Hence, he was up for selection in country's domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament, which is set to begin on May 2. 

However, the pacer stated that he would not be returning to the island until the end of the IPL 2018.

After going unsold at the IPL 2018 auction, Malinga, who hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since last September, opted for a stint as a mentor for MI. 

“The selectors wanted him back, and he has to play domestic cricket according to them. We’re playing our white-ball tournament, and 50-over and T20,"SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said. 

"I’m sure before the next international engagement which is South Africa and then the Asia Cup and so forth, he needs to play T20 games and 50 overs. If Lasith is not playing a domestic tournament, the selectors will have to make a call,” he added. 

Meanwhile, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said, “We have informed Lasith that he has been selected. If he doesn’t play the Inter-Provincial tournament, it is unlikely that the selectors will consider him.”

South Africa will play five ODIs and a T20 International during their Sri Lanka tour that kicks off with the two-match Test series.