Malinga marks return with match-winning spell against UAE
UAE's hopes of a fourth successive win in the Asia Cup were snuffed out by Lasith Malinga, who struck twice in the first over and took 4 for 26 in the match to lead his side to a 14-run win
UAE's hopes of a fourth successive win in the Asia Cup were snuffed out by Lasith Malinga, who struck twice in the first over and took 4 for 26 in the match to lead his side to a 14-run win
Scorer: Gopi Rangarajan | Commentator: Deivarayan Muthu
10:55pm: Malinga set to work right away; his first over since November 2015 began and ended with a wicket. He let rip the yorker as well as the slow dipping full toss during his top-quality spell. He finished with four wickets to send UAE hurting to defeat with helping hands from the other returning seniors - Kula and Herath. SL begin their Asia Cup defence with a 14-run win, despite making only 129.
Amjad: The whole game was excellent. We put them [Sri Lanka] under pressure with the bowling. It was a big set back to lose two wickets to Malinga in the first over. Then we lost two more wickets and it is always difficult to chase. We have a match tomorrow. We will come back and try to do our best.
Malinga is the Man of the Match: I am not alright. I have still not fully recovered. I wanted to play this match and help the other players and show them you can do whatever the team needs. I have good experience playing international cricket and IPL. Sanga and Mahela have experience, we will have to give time to the youngsters.
Kulasekara: I came back from injury. It is a great comeback. We expected these pitches; BPL matches were also like this. Low scores are a pressure game. UAE bowled really well.
That is all we have for you tonight. Do come back tomorrow as well. Same place. Same time. Until then, goodbye and cheerio.
Mathews to fill in
They began to dream, they began to hope, they even forced Sri Lanka to plummet to their lowest ever total against an Associate nation in T20Is. With another 15 runs, UAE could have had their first ever win against a Test nation
Despite producing a four-wicket haul to beat UAE, Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said that he might consider announcing his retirement from T20 international cricket
UAE's hopes of a fourth successive win in the Asia Cup were snuffed out by Lasith Malinga, who struck twice in the first over and took 4 for 26 in the match to lead his side to a 14-run win