Colombo: Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga on Tuesday officially called time on T20 cricket, thus taking his hat-off for the final time in his career. The legendary Lankan seamer had already announced retirement from Tests and ODI’s earlier. Known for his distinct sling-arm action and terrorizing the world’s best batsmen for with his toe-crushing Yorkers, Malinga spanned over a decade and a half, Malinga lead the Sri Lankan side that lifted the T20 World Cup in 2014. The 38 year-old who played 30 Test matches, 226 ODIs and 84 T20Is for his country, picking up 546 wickets officially made the announcement on his social media.
Hanging up my #T20 shoes and #retiring from all forms of cricket! Thankful to all those who supported me in my journey, and looking forward to sharing my experience with young cricketers in the years to come.https://t.co/JgGWhETRwm #LasithMalinga #Ninety9
— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) September 14, 2021
“Hanging up my T20shoes and retiring from all forms of cricket! Thankful to all those who supported me in my journey, and looking forward to sharing my experience with young cricketers in the years to come.” Malinga tweeted to bid adieu to the sport.
On his journey the legendary Lankan seamer grabbed headlines registered some of unique records in the game. The most prominent one is taking four wicket hauls in consecutive balls in international cricket, the only man to do so and that too in two different formats. Also he is the only only bowler to take three hat-tricks in One-Day International cricket while also being first bowler to take 100 T20I wickets.
His prowess in the shorter formats where he has come up when he is need speaks volume of his quality with 107 T20 international wickets, and maintaining an economy rate of 7.42 across 83 bowling innings.
However, in a separate video, Malinga opened up about his career in brief thanking all the staffs and members of Sri Lankan cricket “Today is a very special day for me. Because I want to thank each and everyone, who has supported me and blessed me throughout my T20 career. Today I decide that I want to give a 100 percent rest for my T20 bowling shoes.”
“That’s why I want to thank Sri Lankan Cricket Board and my team members. While my shoes will rest, my love for the game will never ask for rest. Looking forward to seeing our youngsters make history.” Malinga said in his statement.
A highly-sought after bowler in franchise tournaments in his prime, Malinga in the evergreen Indian Premier League(IPL) did the most damage to the batsman with his tally of 170 wickets is yet to be taken over which came at a staggering strike rate of 16.62,the lowest for any bowler with more than 90 wickets in the tournament which clearly establishes his greatness.
