Sri Lanka's Malinga ruled out of World T20

A knee injury has forced Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga out of the World Twenty20 in India.

A knee injury has forced Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga out of the World Twenty20 in India. (AAP)

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the World Twenty20 due to a knee injury, the defending champions said on Friday.

"Malinga's knee injury flared up before the match against Afghanistan yesterday," a team spokesperson said.

"He has been ruled out of the World Cup and has flown back to Sri Lanka this afternoon."