Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara has retired from international cricket with immediate effect, reported Sri Lanka’s local media. Kulasekara retirement comes days ahead when senior pacer Lasith Malinga will play his last One-Day International (ODI). Malinga announced earlier that the first Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh ODI will be his last 50-over game. Interestingly, both Malinga and Kulasekara spearheaded the Sri Lankan pace department and often shared the new-ball. Lasith Malinga Announces ODI Retirement; Netizens Pay Tribute to Famed Sri Lankan Pacer.

Kulasekara was already out of favour and his last international appearance for Sri Lanka was in 2017 when he played an ODI against Zimbabwe at Hambantota. The pacer’s last featured in Sri Lanka’s Test team in 2014 against England at Lord’s. His last T20I appearance was against Bangladesh at Colombo in 2017. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2019 Schedule: Full Time Table With Fixtures, Dates, Match Timings and Venue Details of SL vs BAN ODI Series.

Kulasekara played 21 Tests and picked 48. The 37-year-old was more of a limited-overs specialist and in 184 ODI matches, he ended up picking 199 wickets. Kulasekara played 58 T20Is as well and managed to pick 66 wickets.

He was part of the Sri Lanka’s team which won the 2014 World T20 trophy. Besides it, he was part of the playing XI that lost to India in the 2011 World Cup final. The pacer was also part of the Sri Lanka team in the 2007 World Cup. The fast-bowler’s best figures 5/22 in ODIs came against Australia in 2013 at Brisbane. It was his only five-wicket haul in the 50-overs cricket.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2019 01:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).