Malinga was crushed to all parts of the Hagley Oval on Saturday in his group's 98-run misfortune to New Zealand, finishing with figures of none for 84 off his 10 overs as the Black Caps heaped up 331 for six.
It was the 31-year-old's first worldwide match since experiencing lower leg surgery in September.
However Muralitharan, who resigned in 2011 in the wake of taking 534 ODI and 800 Test wickets, accepts Malinga will have profited from his severe treatment.
"In spite of the fact that Lasith Malinga's figures resemble an awfulness show with none for 84 from his 10 overs, he will have profited from the trip," Muralitharan told the ICC site.
"We must be reasonable about him, when its all said and done. He is coming into the competition off the over of no cricket since his lower leg surgery last September and it will require some investment for him to return to his best.
"Furthermore the opportunity to get more overs added to his repertoire against Afghanistan and Bangladesh (in their next two diversions) will be uplifting news for him and for Sri Lanka."
Malinga, who has 271 ODI wickets and is seen as his group's go-to death bowler, featured at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean where Sri Lanka completed runners-up to Australia.
He took 18 wickets at a normal of 15.77, incorporating four wickets in four balls against South Africa in Providence, Guyana - the first run through a bowler had taken four wickets off progressive conveyances in global cricket.
Sri Lanka batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, his group's top scorer with 65 against New Zealand, likewise sponsored Malinga to bob back.
"I don't think this is Lasith's best rocking the bowling alley exertion," said the opener. "We accept he'll return firmly in the following few matches, however I think he played truly well in the demise overs.
"That is a positive for us, so ideally he'll be again with great exhibitions." AFP
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