And, the day has ended, one of the gems of Sri Lankan cricket Lasith Malinga has delivered his final ball for Sri Lanka in the ODI format of the game. Ironically, he ended with a wicket of his last ball, which brings curtains to the glorious 15-year ODI career. From nowhere to third-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka is quite a story to know for the youngsters.
Malinga accounted for the wickets of Tamim Iqbal (0) and Soumya Sarkar (15) in his first spell and dismissed Mustafizur Rahman (18) on the last delivery of his ODI career. Malinga finished as the 3rd highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket for Sri Lanka with 338 wickets in 220 innings with only Muttiah Muralitharan (523) and Chaminda Vaas (399) above him on the list.
Lasith Malinga finished as third-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka:
He is one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers in the history of cricket with 338 wickets in just 219 innings. He is world-renowned for his ability to bowl constant yorkers while deceiving the batsmen with a deadly slower delivery.
One of the staggering facts is Malinga is the king of hat-tricks as he is the only bowler to take three hat-tricks in ODIs. Two of those hat tricks have come at the World Cup, which is also a record. Along with Wasim Akram, Malinga has taken a total of 4 international hat tricks.
Yet another staggering stat is that during the phase of 2006 and 2013, no other bowler took more wickets than Malinga’s 267, this despite him missing 15 months of action in 2008-09 owing to knee troubles.
”I feel it’s the right time for me to retire from ODIs. I have been playing for the last 15 years for Sri Lanka and this is the right time to move on. My time is over and I have to go. Winning is very important to me.”
”We are a young team. I tried my best throughout my career. Some of the young bowlers in the country have a good ability, so they need to try and produce match-winning spells. You have to be a match-winner for your team, that’s my advice”
Here are a few tweets:
The end of an era as Lasith Malinga retires from ODIs having taken 338 wickets which is the 9th highest in history #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/rJa1JLZ5Eb
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) July 26, 2019
Another fast bowler calls it a day. Nothing but admiration for the mighty Lasith Malinga who is one of the greats of the white ball game. Big hearted, smiling and tough underneath the friendly air. A torch-bearer for the unorthodox.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 26, 2019
Thank you Lasith Malinga for all the entertainment. We will miss you. Wish you all the best for your 2nd innings. ? #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/aMNJz7t4gf
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) July 26, 2019
Wat a Career he had in d international level. He has carried Srilankan cricket on his shoulders for so many years by his sheer performances. He has a heart of a lion ? Congratulations on a great Career #LasithMalinga Best wishes for ur future ?? God bless u always pic.twitter.com/7O8W8cXKbD
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 26, 2019
How I will remember Lasith Malinga:
– searing yorkers
– that bowling action
– ability to change the game at any moment (SA/SL in the 2007 World Cup is the biggest example)
– Sri Lanka's greatest match winner with the ball amongst the fast bowlers #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/65kCTaBBiO
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) July 26, 2019
The little prayer before his run-up. The little kiss on that white object. The slingy action. All for one last time in ODI cricket. Lasith Malinga for one last time in ODI cricket ???#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 26, 2019
Congratulations on the glorious journey Yorker King #Malinga. There will never be another toe crusher like you again. Best wishes for your future endeavours. ?#LasithMalinga pic.twitter.com/Uf0iD3SHdL
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 26, 2019
The ideal farewell for #LasithMalinga, big contributor of the game and many youngsters at various levels have learnt a lot from him. Well bowled Champion ??
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 27, 2019
Been a good, good spell?A top legend, champion, and a sportsman par excellence – wishing you continued success, my friend. All the best 🙂 #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/dkAc4Nt25t
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) July 26, 2019
Fortunate to share the dressing room with you. I know how good planner, motivator and human being you are. Indeed, you are a great performer. Your fighting spirit is inspiring to all. ODI cricket will miss you & you will be remembered always. Good bye legend. #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/hX5cr69BbK
— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) July 26, 2019
Congratulations on a wonderful One Day career, #Malinga.
Wishing you all the very best for the future. pic.twitter.com/RLeKIudyWl— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 26, 2019
Only Bowler to take 2 WC Hatricks, total 3 ODI hatricks, & a man who made so many aspirations and beliefs come true in young cricketers, that one can succeed & like how, even with an unconventional bowling action. One of the all time greats & a great ambassador, #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/5GAByLTqFv
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2019
Wat a Final spell!
Wat a legendary career from a legendary player, a true gentleman & have been a great inspiration for many | lucky enough to play together! ?? #SLvBAN #ThankYouMalinga @Lasith99Malinga
PS – Gud luck for the T20s— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) July 26, 2019
If I had to pick one match winner among many others for @mipaltan in the last decade, this man will be on the top for sure. As a captain he give me breather during tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future pic.twitter.com/gJJJKy8gL3
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 26, 2019
Classic Mali spell ? Thank you for everything you've done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so ?.
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 26, 2019
Congratulation to Lasith Malinga on a fantastic ODI career. He has single handedly won many games for Sri Lanka. All the best for the T20Is in future
— Rangana Herath (@HerathRSL) July 26, 2019