Sri Lanka will dedicate its 3rd and final ODI game against Bangladesh to pacer Nuwan Kulasekara, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket will invite the former international bowler to watch the game and also hold a felicitation ceremony to honour him for his service following the ODI game, said a statement from the board on Monday. Sri Lanka has already clinched the three-match ODI series and currently leads it 2-0. Nuwan Kulasekara, Sri Lankan Pacer, Retires From International Cricket.

Kulasekara made his debut for Sri Lanka against England on November 2003 and went on to represent them in 184 ODIs, 21 Tests and 58 T20s. He was part of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup triumph in Bangladesh and also played the 2011 World Cup final against India which Lanka lost. He finished his career with over 300 international wickets with best figures of 8/58 and 5/22 in Test matches and ODIs respectively. Lasith Malinga Retires From International Cricket After Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI 2019, Overtakes Anil Kumble to Be 9th Highest Wicket-Taker (Watch Video).

“Nuwan Kulasekara has been a vital cog in the Lankan line-up and played exceptional cricket during his time with the national team. His contributions made on the field brought in a lot of success for the national team. I wish him the best going forward,” said Shammi Silva, President of the SLC.

“He was an exemplary figure, both on and off the field and a role model, which the young cricketers can emulate. Simplicity and decency were a hallmark of Kulasekara’s cricketing career, which helped him both on and off the field,’’ Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, said.

The 37-year-old fast bowler was the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2009 during his peak years and also led the Sri Lanka bowling attack in the absence of Lasith Malinga. He played 184 ODIs and finished with 199 wickets at an economy rate of 4.9. Kulasekara also took 21 Test matches and took 48 wickets, while in T20s he represented the Lanka nation in 58 games and had 66 wickets.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 91 runs in the first ODI game with Kusal Perera scoring a match-winning century, while they won the second game by 7 wickets. Another Sri Lanka pacer, Lasith Malinga called time on his ODI career after the first game. Sri Lanka play Bangladesh in the final ODI game on July 31, 2019 (Wednesday).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2019 06:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).