Lasith Malinga announces retirement from all forms of cricket

The 38-year-old, who was the captain of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup winning team, 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.”

Malinga had retired from Test and ODI cricket in January this year, but has not yet retired from T20 Internationals.

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians on Tuesday thanked Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga after announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Malinga decided to retire from all forms of cricket. The Sri Lankan fast bowler had retired from franchise cricket in January.

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 the IPL team Mumbai Indians.

Smiling Malinga said in the video, “I want to give 100 percent comfort to my T20 shoes. My shoes will rest, but my love for the game will never ask for rest.”

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.

Recently, South Africa’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all cricket on 31 August.

Stan, 38, took to social media to announce that he was “bitter but grateful”.

“It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, tight legs, jetlag, joy and brotherhood,” he said.

“Thanks to everyone from family to teammates, from journalists to fans, it’s been an incredible journey together.”

Steyn took 439 wickets in 93 Test matches before announcing his retirement from the five-day format in 2019.