Lasith Malinga retires from T20Is, ends career from all forms of cricket

Mangalore Today News Network / News18

New Delhi, Sep 14, 2021: Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, marking his retirement from all formats of the game. The 38-year-old, who won the the 2014 T20 World Cup with the island nation had earlier in 2019 retired from ODI cricket.

 

The veteran fast bowler posted a message on his social media account announcing his decision. “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," Malinga wrote on Twitter.

 

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

Malinga, who is also the highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL even posted a video on his YouTube channel, showing a compilation of his wickets in T20s.

“While my shoes will rest my love for the game will never rest,” he captioned the video.

Overall, in his career, Malinga played 30 Tests in which he picked up 101 wickets at an average of 33.16. He also played 226 ODIs for Sri Lanka, in which he picked up 338 wickets at an average of 28.94.

The unorthodox right-hand pacer has scalped 107 wickets in 84 T20Is for Sri Lanka, with the best bowling figure being 5/6. Apart from that, Malinga is also the holder of a few unique feats for his home country. He has five internationals hat-tricks to his name and has also taken 4 wickets off 4 consecutive balls twice in international cricket.

Last year, he had expressed his desire to lead Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November 2020 but will be held next month after a COVID-forced postponement. “I am looking forward to help youngsters and guide them in the coming years," he said as he thanked his national team and all the franchises that he has played for, including IPL team Mumbai Indians.

“I want to give 100 per cent rest to my T20 shoes. While my shoes will rest, my love for the game will never ask for rest," a smiling Malinga added in the video.

Malinga, who has played a staggering 122 IPL matches, has 170 wickets to his credit, the highest in the cash-rich league, with the best bowling figures of 5/13.