Lasith Malinga bids farewell to his ODI career

(COLOMBO News 1st): Veteran pacer Lasith Malinga took 3-38, including the last wicket of the match, in his final one-day international as Sri Lanka, beat Bangladesh by 91 runs yesterday (July 26). Lasith Malinga ended his ODI career bowling Sri Lanka to a victory, as the hosts registered a resounding 91-run win over Bangladesh in the first ODI of their 3-match series at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Kusal Perera slammed his fifth ODI century as Sri Lanka posted a match-winning score of 314, while the bowlers led by Malinga himself restricted the visitors to only 223. Fittingly, Malinga took the final wicket in his last over with a trademark slower delivery. Lasith Malinga bid adieu to ODI cricket as the third-highest wicket-taker amongst Sri Lankans, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. Defending 314, the 36-year-old seamer Malinga, had a perfect start to his farewell game when he yorked Tamim Iqbal with an unplayable in-swinging delivery. After his first over wicket, Malinga once again disturbed the stumps, clean bowling Soumya Sarkar with another in-swinging toe-crusher in the ninth over. Lasith Malinga, who made his debut in 2004, ends his ODI career with 338 wickets at an average of 28.87 from 226 ODIs. Malinga is the only player to take three ODI hat-tricks, and the only player to take four wickets in four balls. The legendary cricketer ended up with a career tally of 338 wickets, becoming the 3rd highest wicket-taker in Sri Lanka and 9th overall in ODIs. Lasith Malinga captained the Sri Lankan cricket team to victory in the 2014 ICC World T20 tournament. Speaking to the spectators at the grounds Lasith Malinga said that when he began his cricket journey back in 2004 that he stood alone but as he now retires from cricket that there are so many looking up to him. He further said that regardless of what people say, that his conscience knows his contribution to Sri Lanka cricket. While also expressing his extreme happiness for having played cricket, he said that he is still happy to retire today. The cricketer while thanking his fans for supporting him said his name has gained popularity today because of the fans. Lasith Malinga presented a token of appreciation to former cricketer Champaka Ramanayaka for recognizing his talents.