Sri Lankan premium fast bowler will be felicitated by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on July 31 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo during the third and final ODI of the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh series.
The board has decided to pay tribute to Kulasekara for rendering his services to the Island nation. Kulasekara has been around for little over 16 years in the international fold which also saw him ruling the roost with the ball in hand.
“Sri Lanka Cricket will dedicate the 03rd ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on behalf of fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who announced his retirement from international cricket,” said SLC in a statement.
Kulasekara, who was the part of Lanka’s victorious 2014 T20 World Cup campaign in Bangladesh, had announced retirement on July 24 with immediate effect. However, he remains available for the domestic professional T20 leagues across the globe.
For the Lions, Kulasekara made his ODI debut back in 2003 at the age of 21. The swing sensation had snared 199 scalps in 184 matches while donning Lankan colours. Also, he went on to bag 66 wickets in 58 T20Is.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Nuwan Kulasekara to receive a farewell from SLC:
Also, the prominent bowler will grace the occasion in Colombo. Earlier, Sri Lanka had sealed the series with an unassailable lead of 2-0.
“SLC will invite the bowler to witness the 03rd ODI and will arrange a felicitation ceremony to honor Kulasekara for the yeomen services, he has rendered for Sri Lanka Cricket,” it added.
The President for the SLC, Shammi Silva, had effusively praised Kulasekara. He further added that Kulasekara had played a quintessential role for Sri Lankan team during his heydays. Shammi had wished the experienced campaigner all the best in his future endeavours.
“Nuwan Kulasekara has been a vital cog in the Lankan lineup and played exceptional cricket during his time with the national team. His contributions made on the field brought in a lot of success for the national team. I wish him the best going forward,” Shammi stated.
The CEO for SLC Ashley De Silva reiterated that Kulasekara is a humble character who had often put his great effort in the best interest of his country.
He added simplicity had helped Kulasekara to yield desired results.
“He was an exemplary figure, both on and off the field. And a role model, which the young cricketers can emulate. Simplicity and decency were a hallmark of Kulasekara’s cricketing career, which helped him both on and off the field,’’ De Silva concluded.
Kulasekara had also represented Sri Lanka in 21 Tests between 2005 and 2014. He had snared 48 wickets which included four four-wicket hauls.