Malinga hints at retirement post match-winning comeback

Sri Lanka T20 skipper Lasith Malinga has hinted that he might call curtains to his illustrious international career at the end of next month's World T20 to be played in India.

Malinga's comments came after helping his side to a thrilling 14-run win over the United Arab Emirates in the second match of the Asia Cup at Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

The 32-year-old, who made a comeback with Asia Cup, had not played for his side since November last year due to a knee injury.

Reflecting on his performance, Malinga said that it was a difficult return and added he was not satisfied with his performance at all.

"I haven't bowled a single ball in the last three months. I just bowled in the nets in the last two days. I am happy with the result but I think I have to do more for the team. I will try my best in the next game. (This performance] is not my 100 percent, maybe 60-70 percent, but still I managed to bowl yorkers and slower balls. Team expects more than that from me," Malinga was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The fast bowler, who has not yet recovered fully from his injury, admitted it was not a right time to take rest as World T20 was approaching. He insisted that he wanted to put his best foot forward in his last few months.

"I had a very bad injury in the knee. Same thing happened in 2008. I needed two years rest to recover. I had same injury in the other leg. This is not the right time to rest since we have the World T20. I am the experienced bowler in the T20 format. I have to use painkillers and injections, whatever I have to do to play. This is the end of my career so I want to do something for the team. I want to give my best in the last few years or maybe few months," he added.

Earlier, Malinga had said that he was at a stage where he couldn't take long breaks as it would result in the end of his career.

Malinga, however, expressed his intention to play as many games as he could for his national team for a long period of time.

Sri Lanka will next face hosts Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday.