Sri Lanka’s ace bowler Lasith Malinga celebrates his 36th birthday on Wednesday. Born on August 28, 1983, the pacer is considered one of the best bowlers in the world. The Sri Lankan has been a nightmare for batsmen throughout his career and has been a vital cog in the team in the limited-overs format. The bowler’s slinging action was the biggest headache for the batsman and his toe-crushing Yorkers were the cherry on the cake. The veteran has taken as many as three hat-tricks in ODI cricket, which are most by any bowlers; they also include an instance where he took four-wickets off successive deliveries against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Lasith Malinga Announces ODI Retirement; Netizens Pay Tribute to Famed Sri Lankan Pacer.

The Sri Lankan speedster made his international debut way back in July 2004 and today the veteran has become an undisputable legend of the game. The right arm pacer has played 30 Tests in which he scalped 101 wickets. In order to concentrate on the shorter formats, Malinga announced retirement from Tests in 2011.

In ODIs, the speedster has taken 338 wickets from 226 games and is ninth in the list of all-time leading wicket-takers in ODIs. The pacer also bit adieu to the 50-over format after playing the first ODI against Bangladesh last month. In the shortest format of the game, Malinga has taken 97 wickets from 73 encounters and need just two wickets to surpass Shahid Afridi and become the highest wicket-taker in T20Is. Talking about Malinga’s achievements, let’s take a look at five of the best spells bowled by the Sri Lankan legend. Lasith Malinga Gets Australian Residency; Sri Lankan Bowler May Take Up Coaching Assignment Post Retirement - Reports.

4-54 Against South Africa, Guyana

The Sri Lankan speedster scripted history with his jaw-dropping spell against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup. Chasing Sri Lanka’s modest total of 212, Proteas needed just six runs in 5.2 overs with five wickets in hand. Just when the result seemed to be a matter of time, Malinga breathed fire and took four wickets off four consecutive deliveries. However, the magical spell wasn’t enough to take Sri Lanka over the line and South Africa won the match by one wicket.

5-68 Against New Zealand, Wellington

Mostly known for his heroics in the shortest format of the game, Malinga was a lethal with the red ball too. In the second Test of Sri Lanka’s 2006 tour of New Zealand, the pacer demolished the Kiwis with his five-wicket haul and the hosts were bundled out for mere 130 runs in the second innings. The effort proved to be crucial in the context of the game as Sri Lanka won that encounter by a massive margin of 217 runs.

5-28 Against Australia, Hambantota

Sri Lanka were trailing 2-0 in the five-match ODI series in 2011 and the third match was a do or die encounter for the hosts. According to the demand of the situation, Malinga rised to the occasion once again and rattled the mighty Australian batting line up. The men in yellow looked completely clueless against the speedster’s fiery deliveries and were bundled out for 208 runs, which meant Sri Lanka won the encounter by 78 runs.

5-31 Against England, Pallekele

Lasith Malinga was at his premium best when Sri Lanka took on England in the group match of 2012 World T20. The Stuart Broad led side was looking set to chase Sri Lanka’s total of 169 runs but Malinga bowled a fiery spell in the death and the England batting line up collapsed. The veteran picked up five wickets which is his best bowling performance in T20I to date.

4-43 Against England, Leeds

The speedster faced a lot of trolling for his fat belly during the 2019 Cricket World Cup but the pacer replied to his critics in the best possible manner. Batting first, Sri Lanka only managed 232 runs on the scoreboard which seemed a bread-and-butter task for the mighty English batting line-up. However, the old warhorse proved his mettle and bowled a great spell. Malinga scalped four wickets and England got bundled out for 212. Eventually, Sri Lanka won the match by 20 runs.

The Sri Lankan star is in the twilight of his career and will only feature in T20s. Along with a terrific on-field record, Malinga has also been a great ambassador of the game and has gained love and respect from all over the world. The veteran will lead the side in the three match T20I series against New Zealand at home. The bowler is likely to retire after the ICC World T20 2020 in Australia where Malinga will aim to deliver some fiery spells and end his career on a high.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2019 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).