Murali ruled out of Twenty20 WC due to injury

STAFF WRITER 15:19 HRS IST

Providence (Guyana), May 3 (PTI) Sri Lanka's campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup today suffered a blow with off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan being ruled out of the entire tournament due to a groin strain.

Muralitharan sustained the injury during his side's two-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener here on April 30.

Team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan has sustained a grade one strain on his right adductor muscle and will need up to three weeks' rest.

No replacement for 38-year-old spin wizard has been named by Sri Lankan team management. He took two wickets for 25 runs against New Zealand.

Muralitharan has more international wickets than any other cricketer with 792 in 132 Tests and 512 in 334 ODIs. He has 13 wickets in 10 Twenty20 Internationals.

Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe today in a must-win encounter to have any chance of advancing to the Super Eight stage.

Indian team for Zimbabwe to be picked on May 9

STAFF WRITER 13:30 HRS IST

Mumbai, May 3 (PTI) The Indian squad for the upcoming triangular ODI series in Zimbabwe followed by a two-match T20 rubber against the hosts is to be picked by the national selection panel in Chennai on May 9, BCCI sources said today.

The tri-series featuring -- India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe -- is scheduled from May 28 to June 9 with the three outfits playing one another twice in the round-robin phase leading up to the final between the top two teams.

The first three league matches are to be held at Bulawayo, while the last two as well as the summit contest would be held at Harare.

The ODI tournament is to be followed at the best-of-two T20 International series between India and Zimbabwe with the ties set to be held at Harare on June 12 and 13.