Lasith Malinga Malinga had already ended his ODI and Test career and by announcing his decision to step away from T20 cricket, the 38-year-old marked his retirement from all cricket.
Lasith Malinga is regarded as one of the greatest white-ball pacers of all time (AFP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lasith Malinga bagged 546 international wickets across formats for Sri Lanka
- Malinga is still the most successful bowler in T20I cricket with 107 wickets
- The 38-year-old former Sri Lankan T20 skipper is also the highest wicket taker in IPL
Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a decorated 16-year international career that began in 2004. Malinga had already ended his Test (2011) and ODI (2019) careers, and by announcing his decision to step away from T20 cricket, the 38-year-old marked his retirement from all forms.
Malinga played 30 Tests, 226 ODIs and 84 T20Is for Sri Lanka in which he picked 546 wickets (101 in Tests, 338 in ODIs and 107 in T20Is) across formats.
A fearsome pacer known for his menacing yorkers, Malinga is still the leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of international cricket and the first to complete a century of scalps in T20Is.
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 (@ninety9sl) September 14, 2021
“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 decided, I want to give 100 percent rest for my T20 bowling shoes.
“I want to thank Sri Lanka cricket board and my team members. I want to thank Mumbai Indians cricket team and team members, especially the owners and the officals, Melbourne Stars, Kent Cricket Club, Rangpur Riders, Guyana Warriors, Maratha Arabians and Montreal Tigers.
“When I played with you all, I got plenty of experience. I want to share my experience in the future, with young cricketers,” Lasith Malinga said in a video posted on social media.
Regarded as the greatest T20 bowler ever, Malinga was also an IPL legend and is still the most-successful bowler in the tournament’s history with 170 wickets in 122 matches for Mumbai Indians.
Malinga captained the Sri Lankan T20 team to victory in the 2014 World Cup and is the only bowler to have taken 4 wickets in 4 balls in a row on two occasions in international cricket. Malinga is also the only bowler to take 3 ODI hat-tricks and two in T20I cricket.
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