IPL 2020: Lasith Malinga opts out of the season, Pattinson to replace
Indian Premier League’s all-time highest wicket-taker Lasith Malinga has opted out of the IPL 2020 season. The Sri Lankan pace bowler had earlier requested unavailability due to personal reasons for the initial few matches but now it has emerged that the pace bowler will miss the entire season. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have named Australian pace bowler James Pattinson as his replacement.
Lasith Malinga will miss this season’s #Dream11IPL with Australian speedster James Pattinson replacing him.
? Read more ?#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI https://t.co/ZllfElMS1J
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 2, 2020
Malinga famously bowled the last ball of the IPL 2019 final on which he trapped Shardul Thakur LBW, thus winning the IPL trophy for the fourth time for Mumbai Indians. The veteran has played for the same franchise since inception and remains one of the greatest performers in the tournament. It is learnt that Malinga has requested unavailability for the complete season and he will be with his family back home in Sri Lanka.
The 30-year old pace bowler from Australia, Pattinson has played in 21 Test matches, 15 ODIs and 4 T20I for Australia. In 2011, he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders to play for them in IPL 2012. However, he is yet to make his IPL debut. Pattinson will now join the Mumbai Indians camp which is currently based in Abu Dhabi.
