Malinga advised rest for four weeks

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga could miss up to four weeks of international cricket after a recent MRI test revealed that the player's injured knee had not recovered completely.

Malinga first complained of pain in his knee during the CB Series on February 22, 2008. It was diagnosed as a swollen bone. The pacer was advised rest for his injured knee for four weeks by physiotherapists before another assessment could be made.

Due to the persistent knee injury, Malinga was forced to miss the recent tour to the West Indies. He also had to withdraw from the ongoing DLF Indian Premier League where he was signed up to play for the Mumbai Indians team.

He is expected to make a comeback in time for the Asia Cup against India and Bangladesh which is scheduled to take place in June.

That will be followed up by a full series of five one-dayers and three Test matches against India at home and the ICC Champions Trophy which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan later this year.

This has been the first time that a major injury has kept Malinga out of action since his international debut.