- Who should lead Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2024? - March 20, 2023
- Muhammad Amir’s Reputation on the Line: Examining his Recent Performance - February 20, 2023
- Is Young Gun Azam Khan knocking the door for a Potential T20I Consideration? - January 18, 2023
Lasith Malinga, the curly-haired pacer with a unique bowling action said goodbye to every cricket format on Tuesday. Malinga who is also known as the greatest t20 bowler and toe crusher took it to social media to announce his decision.
His tweet read:
“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,”
In the video, the greatest T20 bowler clarified that his cricketing career may have ended, but his love for the game will never end.
“Today is a beautiful 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 that I want to give 100 percent rest for my T20 bowling shoes.
“That’s why I want to thank the 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 earlier retired from Test and ODI but continued to serve his team by playing the T20is. His last international T20i match was against the West Indies in the year 2020.
Also Read: Complete Squads of T20 World Cup 2021
The Greatest T20 bowler’s Impressive Cricketing Career
His stats do not do justice to his abilities, but they sure are impressive. The Sri Lanker pacer has a total of 546 wickets in all formats. He also was the first bowler to achieve the milestone of getting 100 T20 wickets. Moreover, he comes forth on the list of highest wicket-takers. To add to his legacy, he also had taken t20 hat tricks as the captain of his national side when they won the T20 world cup in 2014.
Retirement from Franchise Cricket
On 20th January, the 38-year-old bowler had also bid farewell to franchise cricket. He was a crucial player in franchise cricket and IPL. Malinga started his IPL career in 2008. Since then, he switched between numerous teams. Malinga made a mark in the league after he became the leading bowler in terms of wicket-taking ability. His brilliant performances in 2010, 2011, and 2014 earned him a place in Cricinfo’s IPL XI.
Notable Accomplishments
Due to his overall record, he was named in Cricinfo’s overall IPL XI. He was also able to hold the purple cap award (most wickets) in IPL season four. In 2017 he had been bestowed the duty of being a mentor for Mumbai Indians, but in 2019, he was picked again and asked to resume his role as a bowler.
His distinct bowling action and funky hairstyle are indeed not the only things people will remember him for. The Sri Lankan cricket team will dearly miss his ability to take quick wickets, put pressure on the opponent team, and make them fearful of his brilliant bowling.
