A white-ball legend in his own right and one of the greatest T20 bowlers of all time, the 38-year-old was Sri Lanka’s 2014 captain t20 world cup winning team. He posted a message on his social media account announcing his decision.
Malinga tweeted, “Hanging my T20 shoes and have retired from all forms of cricket. Thank you to all who have supported me in my journey and for sharing their experience with young cricketers in the years to come. I’m looking forward to it.”
Smiling Malinga said in the video, “I want to give 100 percent rest to my T20 bowling shoes. My shoes will rest, but my love for the game will never ask for rest.”
Malinga last played a T20I for Sri Lanka in March 2020 against West Indies at Pallekele.
Hang up my #T20 shoes and retire from all forms of #cricket! Thanks to everyone who supported me in my journals… https://t.co/blr0xPKMSb
— Lasith Malinga (@ninety9sl) 163162109000
Malinga, who took a total of 546 wickets across all formats for Sri Lanka, had already retired from Test cricket in 2011 and from ODIs thereafter, but continued to play T20Is for the national team.
He was not named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.
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 following a COVID-forced postponement.
“I look forward to helping and guiding the youth for years to come,” he said, thanking his national team and all the franchises he has played for, including IPL Team Mumbai Indians.
Malinga, who has played 122 IPL matches, has 170 wickets in his account, the most in the cash-rich league, with best bowling figures of 5/13.
He took 107 wickets in 84 T20 Internationals, 338 wickets in 226 ODIs and 101 wickets in 30 Tests.
He was the first bowler to take 100 T20I wickets and finished fourth in the highest wicket-taker category on the list behind Dwayne Bravo, Imran Tahir and Sunil Narine.
The Sri Lankan pacer had also announced his retirement from franchise cricket in January this year after being released by Mumbai Indians.
Malinga, one of the best T20 bowlers of all time, was a key figure in the teams he played in the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League and other franchise tournaments.
During his 12-year stint at Mumbai Indians, he was a part of four out of five IPL title wins but was ruled out of the 2020 tournament due to personal reasons when his father was unwell.
Malinga said in a video on his YouTube channel, “The experience I have gained in the last 17 years will no longer be needed on the field as I have decided to retire from T20I cricket to retire from all forms of cricket.” ”
He added, “But I will continue to support the younger generations who strive to uplift the spirit of the game and I will always be with all those who love the sport.”
A fearsome pacer known for his dangerous yorkers, the leading wicket-taker in T20Is also has two T20I hat-tricks to his name.
Malinga also took three hat-tricks in ODI cricket, his performance being recorded in the 2007 World Cup against South Africa in the West Indies.
He said, ‘Today is a very special day for me.
“I would like to thank everyone who supported me during my T20 journey. I would like to thank the Sri Lankan cricket board and the team members. And the Mumbai Indians cricket team, especially the team owners and officials.
“I would also like to thank the team members and staff of Melbourne Stars, Kent, Rangpur Riders, Kayana Warriors, Maratha Arabians and Montero Tigers. When I played with all of you, I got many experiences during my cricket journey. ”
.