The Sri Lankan Cricket fans who came to catch the blistering manifestation of the first ODI of the Bangladesh Cricket Team’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2019 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo were hopeful of witnessing the final ODI of one of the greatest of Sri Lanka cricket. That idol is none other than Lasith Malinga who charmed the world with his unique bowling style and beautiful hairstyle.
Separamadu Lasith Malinga was born on the 28th of August 1983 in Rathgama. Malinga received his primary education at Thiranagama Vidyathilake Vidyalaya. After passing the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, he entered Vidyaloka College, Galle. There Malinga began his cricketing career. The acquaintance of the former cricketer Champaka Ramanayake during his college day cricket was a turning point in Malinga’s cricketing career. Malinga was invited to join the Galle Cricket Club by Champaka Ramanayake, and as a result of his talent, he was recruited into Mahinda College, Galle. Despite various obstacles, Malinga’s prowess enabled him to secure a place in the national team.
Malinga made his Test debut on the 1st of July 2004 against Australia at Marrara Oval In Darwin. He took 2 wickets in his very first innings and 4 wickets in the second innings. Malinga made his ODI debut against the United Arab Emirates at the Asia Cup the same year. Malinga played his first T20 match on 15 June 2006 against England in Southampton.
2007 Cricket World Cup was a milestone in Malinga’s life. In that tournament, Malinga became the very first player who took four wickets in four consecutive balls in the match against South Africa in Cricket World Cup history. Undaunted, Malinga took 18 wickets in eight matches in the tournament. He also took 12 wickets in 7 matches at the 2009 T20 World Cup.
Although Malinga has usually shown his prowess with the ball, he has sometimes added unforgettable memories to Sri Lankan cricket fans with the bat. Among them, the Melbourne miracle takes a special place. In the match against Australia in Melbourne on 10 November 2010, the Australians scored 239 runs just losing eight wickets by the end of 50 overs. Nuwan Kulasekara was dismissed in the 26th over for the eighth wicket by Sri Lanka. At that time the scoreboard was 107 and the last hope of the Sri Lankans for that match was dashed. But then Malinga entered the field, attacking the Australian bowlers and building a 132-run partnership with Mathews for the ninth wicket. Malinga also scored his maiden half-century. In the end, Sri Lanka won the match with a beautiful four by Muralitharan. This match was spelled out to be that Malinga and Mathews together led to the victory.
Malinga then took 13 wickets in seven matches at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Also, Malinga took his second hat-trick in Sri Lanka’s group stage match against Kenya. Also in the final, Malinga took two important wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, at a low score. With Malinga taking his third hat-trick against Australia in August of the same year, he became the first player who has taken three hat-tricks in ODIs. Malinga retired from Test cricket in April 2011 to focus on ODIs and T20s. The International Cricket Council (ICC) named him to the World ODI XI as the 12th man in 2011. He was also named to the ICC’s World ODI XI in 2012 and 2013. Cricinfo also named him to their World ODI XI.
Malinga was also instrumental in winning the 2014 T20 World Cup for Sri Lanka. Together with Nuwan Kulasekara, he managed to restrict the last four overs of the Indian innings to a low score. Lasith Malinga was the captain of the Sri Lankan team in the match due to Chadimal’s ban. Malinga will serve as temporary captain of the ODI squad in 2016. Also, he was selected for captaining limited-overs in 2018. He never forgets to make the batsmen miserable with his deadly yorker throughout his career.
Malinga has excelled not only on the international stage but also in franchise leagues around the world. Among them, the Indian Premier League occupies a special place. Malinga, who has been with the Mumbai Indians since 2008, became the team’s leading fast bowler. Malinga was able to win many matches for the Mumbai Indians and in 2011 he was awarded the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets. We can’t forget the sacrifice of this great cricketer at the 2019 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings by taking the winning wicket for Mumbai Indians. Apart from IPL, Malinga has also excelled in BBL, CPL, BPL, SLPL, and other leagues.
The double hat trick against New Zealand in 2019 is another milestone in Malinga’s cricket career. This legend who has done a great service to cricket has taken 101 wickets in 30 Tests, 338 wickets in 226 ODIs, and 107 wickets in 84 T20s. Also, many records are written in front of his name. Some of them are the T20 highest wicket-taker, the only player bagging 2 double hat tricks, the only player bagging 3 ODI hat tricks, and the cricketer with most wickets bowled.
We all in Colombo Beacon, would like to take this an opportunity to be grateful for the wonderful service this legend has done on behalf of Sri Lankan Cricket and we wish him a very happy birthday and the very best of luck for all his future ventures.
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