Probably someone who we believe is one of the most iconic and legendary T20 cricketers of all time has finally announced his retirement from T20 cricket. We’re talking about none other than one of the most loyal servants of Sri Lankan cricket, Lasith Malinga. Having played for 20+ franchise teams across the world and also a lot of international cricket in the shortest format, his records are second to none in T20s.
The Slinga Malinga phenomenon started over 15 years ago and since then, he grew to become one of Sri Lanka’s most sought after cricketer. His uncanny action is what began his rise to fame but his wickets and records in the shortest form were what sustained his fame over the years. This undisputed legend has records that may never be touched in the future, including getting 4 wickets in 4 balls.
Malinga 4 wickets in 4 balls
Now let’s remind you that not many people have claimed 4 wickets off consecutive deliveries and Malinga has done it not once but twice in his international career. Apart from other hat-tricks in international and franchise cricket, he first achieved this milestone back in the ICC 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he picked the wickets of Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini.
Many years later, lightning struck twice as he repeated what was a very unlikely feat, this time in a T20 international against New Zealand in 2019. Playing at home, Malinga picked up the wickets of Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ross Taylor in the 3rd over of the innings, wreaking havoc in the Kiwi middle order that day.
Having retired from the longest format in 2010 itself, Malinga last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in 2019 and it’s been more than a year and a half since he last played a T20 for them too. He hasn’t played the last couple of seasons of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) too, where he’s the top wicket-taker in IPL history as well.
Yesterday, he announced his retirement from T20 cricket and the reason we said finally is because he’s now 38 years old and has been out of action since a very long time, playing professional cricket last in March 2020. We wish him the best of luck for his retirement and second innings of his life. For more cricket updates from around the world, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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