Sangakkara to quit format after World T20

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has said he will retire from Twenty20 internationals after the conclusion of the World T20 in Bangladesh.

"Definitely, without a doubt, this is my last World T20," the stylish left-hander told Sunday Island newspaper.

"I won't be playing any T20 internationals after this.

Sangakkara, like many of his contemporaries, though, will continue to ply his trade in domestic Twenty20 tournaments around the world.

"It's sad, but that's the truth. It's not the end of my T20 career though. I would like to play franchise-based T20s. Once your World Cup prospects are over, you should give the next crop of players an opportunity. It's a natural progression."

The veteran batsman has played 50 T20 internationals, scoring 1,311 runs at an average of 32.77 with seven half-centuries to his name.

Sangakkara said he would take a call on his ODI career after the end of next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"Hopefully, I will be in form and my fitness stays and I am looking forward to it. There are so many ifs and buts in cricket. The 2015 World Cup is my immediate target. I will have a chat with the selectors to see where the future lies," he said.