Sri Lanka have dropped Lasith Malinga from the one-day international squad to face Pakistan in a five-match series starting in the UAE next week, raising doubts if the fast bowler will feature in the team's plans for the 2019 World Cup.
Malinga, feared for his awkward action and toe-crushing yorkers, returned to international cricket during June's Champions Trophy following a knee injury that kept him out of the World Twenty20 last year.
But the 34-year-old has not been as effective since his return and has managed 10 wickets from 13 ODIs since his return. He has taken 301 wickets from 204 matches in his career.
Sri Lanka, who lost 5-0 to India at home recently, will also be without former captain and allrounder Angelo Mathews, who is struggling with a calf injury.
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The first ODI will be played on October 13 in Dubai followed by two matches in Abu Dhabi and two in Sharjah.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will conclude their series with a three-match Twenty20 series, with the first two matches to be played in Abu Dhabi before heading to Lahore. It will be the first time since the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus that the two sides will play each other in Pakistan.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently involved in a two-match Test series. Sri Lanka won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 21 runs, with the second Test starting in Dubai on Friday.
