Sri Lankan pace ace Lasith Malinga joined the Mumbai Indians on the eve of its Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kings XI Punjab.

Malinga had flown back to Sri Lanka last week, after Mumbai's match against Chennai Super Kings, to participate in the Super Provincial One-day tournament.

However, on Tuesday evening, Malinga was bowling at the nets.

With West Indies paceman Joseph Alzarri making an impact on his debut, it would be interesting to see whether Malinga makes it to the final eleven.

In the fixture against Chennai Super Kings, Malinga ook three wickets giving away 34 runs, which helped Mumbai to a 37-run victory.

In the Super provincial One-day tournament, Malinga, playing for Galle, scalped seven wickets for 49 runs as his team beat Kandy by 156 runs.

The Provincial tournament is important for Malinga as the national squad for the World Cup will be announced post the tournament.

With Galle playing the Provincial tournament final against Colombo on Thursday, Malinga will be heading straight to the airport to take a flight after Mumbai Indians' match against Punjab.

He will land around 5.30 am in Colombo and head straight to the ground.