Cricket fraternity bids farewell to Yorker King Malinga
Sri Lankan legend cricketer Lasith Malinga ended his 15 year-long one-day international cricket career after playing his last match against Bangladesh on Friday (July 26).
Yorker King announced his retirement during the ICC World Cup 2019, however, he stayed to play the first ODI of Bangladesh’s Sri Lanka tour. With his three-wicket spell in his last match, Malinga concluded his career with 336 wickets in 226 ODI appearances.
With his unorthodox bowling action, Malinga has been ruling the world of Yorkers since 2004, is the only cricketer to have taken three ODI hat-tricks. Eight five-wicket hauls at an average of 28.87, the legendary pacer finished the match and bowled his career last by taking the final wicket of Bangladesh.
The cricket fraternity couldn’t control the outburst of emotions at the cricketer’s farewell and said goodbye in their own unique ways on Twitter.
Rohit Sharma congratulated Malinga by tweeting, “If I had to pick one match-winner among many others for @mipaltan in the last decade, this man will be on the top for sure. As a captain he give me breather during tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future.”
If I had to pick one match winner among many others for @mipaltan in the last decade, this man will be on the top for sure. As a captain he give me breather during tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future pic.twitter.com/gJJJKy8gL3
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 26, 2019
Cricketer Manoj Tiwari appreciated Malinga’s contribution by saying that he carried Sri Lankan cricket on his shoulder with the heart of a lion. “Wat a Career he had in d international level. He has carried Srilankan cricket on his shoulders for so many years by his sheer performances. He has a heart of a lion. Congratulations on a great Career #LasithMalinga Best wishes for ur future. God bless u always,” he tweeted.
Wat a Career he had in d international level. He has carried Srilankan cricket on his shoulders for so many years by his sheer performances. He has a heart of a lion ? Congratulations on a great Career #LasithMalinga Best wishes for ur future ?? God bless u always pic.twitter.com/7O8W8cXKbD
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 26, 2019
India’s Yorker specialist Jasprit Bumrah who idealises the funny hair bowler and seeks inspiration from him wrote, “Classic Mali spell. Thank you for everything you’ve done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so.”
Classic Mali spell ? Thank you for everything you've done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so ?.
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 26, 2019
“Been a good, good spell. A top legend, champion, and a sportsman par excellence – wishing you continued success, my friend. All the best 🙂 #ThankYouMalinga,” wrote Suresh Raina.
Been a good, good spell?A top legend, champion, and a sportsman par excellence – wishing you continued success, my friend. All the best 🙂 #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/dkAc4Nt25t
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) July 26, 2019
Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mashrafe Mortaza, and many more cricketers followed Raina’s #ThankyouMalinga and showered praises on the pacer.
Congratulations on a wonderful One Day career, #Malinga.
Wishing you all the very best for the future. pic.twitter.com/RLeKIudyWl— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 26, 2019
Fortunate to share the dressing room with you. I know how good planner, motivator and human being you are. Indeed, you are a great performer. Your fighting spirit is inspiring to all. ODI cricket will miss you & you will be remembered always. Good bye legend. #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/hX5cr69BbK
— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) July 26, 2019
Congratulations on the glorious journey Yorker King #Malinga. There will never be another toe crusher like you again. Best wishes for your future endeavours. ?#LasithMalinga pic.twitter.com/Uf0iD3SHdL
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 26, 2019
Lasith Malinga ends his ODI career with 338 wickets, as the 9th highest wicket-taker in the format; third highest for Sri Lanka! #ThankYouMalinga #LEGEND pic.twitter.com/dvRy80DTgj
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) July 26, 2019
Thank you very much for the service you did for the country maali aiya and i was privileged to make my ODI debut under you captaincy. Thank you very much for everything and best wishes for your future. ?#ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/aQUwlw9NyW
— Dilshan Munaweera (@dilshanSD24) July 26, 2019
Only Bowler to take 2 WC Hatricks, total 3 ODI hatricks, & a man who made so many aspirations and beliefs come true in young cricketers, that one can succeed & like how, even with an unconventional bowling action. One of the all time greats & a great ambassador, #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/5GAByLTqFv
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2019
Wat a Final spell!
Wat a legendary career from a legendary player, a true gentleman & have been a great inspiration for many | lucky enough to play together! ?? #SLvBAN #ThankYouMalinga @Lasith99Malinga
PS – Gud luck for the T20s— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) July 26, 2019
Harsha Bhogle called Malinga the torch-bearer of unorthodox bowling spells and recalled his might with the white ball. “Another fast bowler calls it a day. Nothing but admiration for the mighty Lasith Malinga who is one of the greats of the white ball game. Big hearted, smiling and tough underneath the friendly air. A torch-bearer for the unorthodox,” he tweeted.
Another fast bowler calls it a day. Nothing but admiration for the mighty Lasith Malinga who is one of the greats of the white ball game. Big hearted, smiling and tough underneath the friendly air. A torch-bearer for the unorthodox.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 26, 2019
After bowling his last, Lasith Malinga in the post-match conference concluded his career by saying that this is the right time for him to retire from ODIs and that after 15 years it’s time to move on.
“I feel it’s the right time for me to retire from ODIs. I have been playing for the last 15 years for Sri Lanka and this is the right time to move on. My time is over and I have to go. Winning is very important for me; We are a young team. I tried my best throughout my career,” he said.
In his last advice to the “young team” he said, “Some of the young bowlers in the country have good ability, so they need to try and produce match-winning spells. You have to be a match-winner for your team, that’s my advice.”
