Sri Lanka, April 19 -- Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva said that he will be disappointed if ace fast bowler Lasith Malinga retires from cricket ahead of the World Cup.

Malinga who was the ODI and T20I captain for the series in South Africa lost all eight matches and was replaced by Dimuth Karunaratne for the World Cup in England.

Speculation has been rife that Malinga intends announcing his retirement if he was not made captain of the team for the World Cup.

"Malinga is a world class player and one of the best bowlers we have. We have selected him because we need him. The speculations are there anybody can take any decision but we have to go and play in the World Cup," said Silva.

"We gave Malinga 14 matches to show his skill...