Sri Lanka's Malinga to quit ODIs after first Bangladesh match
Colombo, Jul 22: Veteran Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga will retire from one-day international cricket after the first match of a three-match series against Bangladesh, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said on Monday.
Malinga was named in the 22-man Sri Lanka squad for the series with matches scheduled for July 26, 28 and 31 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
But speaking at the team's press conference in the Sri Lankan capital, Karunaratne confirmed the 36-year old fast bowler and former captain would only appear in the first game.
"He is going to play the first match. After that he is retiring. That's what he said to me. I don't know what he said for the selectors but for me he said he is playing only one match," said Karunaratne.
Malinga, 35, will leave as Sri Lanka's third highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 335 wickets in 219 innings so far.
Only Muttiah Muralitharan (523) and Chaminda Vaas (399) have taken more wickets than Malinga in ODIs for Sri Lanka.
He was Sri Lanka's highest wicket-taker at the World Cup, claiming 13 scalps in seven innings.
Malinga retired from Test cricket in 2011 but continued to remain available in other formats since then.
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Air India Express cancels multiple gulf flights from Mangaluru on March 5, 6
Mangaluru: Flight operations between Mangaluru and several Gulf destinations remain disrupted for the fifth consecutive day, airport authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The cancellations come amid ongoing airspace closures affecting the region.
According to the latest schedule updates, the following Air India Express flights have been cancelled for 5 and 6th March 2026:
Dubai–Mangaluru (IX 832) which was scheduled to arrive at 10:10 pm on 5 March
Mangaluru–Dubai (IX 831) which was scheduled to depart at 01:20 pm on 5 March
Dubai–Mangaluru (IX 814) which was scheduled to arrive at 04:55 am on 6 March has also been cancelled.
Mangaluru–Doha (IX 821) which was scheduled to depart at 11:20 am on 5 March
Doha–Mangaluru (IX 822) which was scheduled to arrive at 8:45 pm on 5 March
Mangaluru–Bahrain (IX 841) which was scheduled to depart at 9:45 pm on 5 March
Bahrain–Mangaluru (IX 842) which was scheduled to arrive at 07:45 am on 6 March
Mangaluru–Kuwait (IX 851) which was scheduled to depart at 10:00 pm on 5 March
Kuwait–Mangaluru (IX 852) which was scheduled to arrive at 08:50 am on 6 March
Mangaluru–Dammam (IX 847) which was scheduled to depart at 11:10 on 5 March
Dammam–Mangaluru (IX 848) which was scheduled to arrive at 09:25 am on 6 March
Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi (IX 815) which was scheduled to depart at 11:20 pm on 5 March
Abu Dhabi–Mangaluru (IX 816) which was scheduled to arrive at 08:15 am on 6 March
Meanwhile, operations to Mumbai, Delhi, and a few other cities from Gulf destinations are resuming in a limited manner. The Mangaluru–Muscat service by Air India Express continues as scheduled and remains unaffected.
The airline has also announced that it will operate additional flights between Muscat and Delhi and Mumbai on 5 March 2026, along with special services from Ras Al Khaimah connecting Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai until 7 March 2026.
Air India Express will continue operating flights to and from Muscat on 5 March 2026, along with additional flights between Muscat and Delhi and Mumbai.
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) March 4, 2026
We are also operating special flights from Ras Al Khaimah connecting Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai until 7 March 2026.
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