ICC World Cup 2019: Lasith Malinga Breaks Into the Top Ten Bowlers With Most Wickets in ODIs

Sri Lanka bounced back from their defeat to beat Afghanistan in their second game by 34 runs at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff in a rain-marred encounter. Nuwan Pradeep and Lasith Malinga starred with the ball to defend a small revised target of 187 runs from 41 overs. Meanwhile, during that process, Malinga stormed into the top ten bowlers with most wickets in the ODIs.

Malinga creates record during Sri Lanka’s win

Batting first, Sri Lanka broke down bizarrely, losing their last nine wickets for just 57 runs. However, Afghanistan had leaked far too many runs in helpful conditions with the new ball. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera had added 92 runs for the first wicket in just 13 overs to set the tone for the batsmen to follow. But an outstanding spell from Mohammad Nabi put a brake on the innings, and the Lankans could only manage 201 runs.

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With a revised target of 187 from 41 overs, Afghanistan started well too, but once the opening stand was broken, wickets fell in a heap. Najibullah Zadran and his captain Gulbadin Naib repaired things with a partnership, but the Lankans broke the partnership just when it was threatening. The former battled on, but an inspired spell of seam bowling from Nuwan Pradeep and a yorker masterclass from Lasith Malinga proved too hot to handle for Afghanistan as they fell well short.

Meanwhile, during that process, the veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler entered into the top ten bowlers with most wickets in ODIs. Malinga leapfrogged his countrymen Sanath Jayasuriya to take the tenth spot. He now has 325 wickets from 220 ODI games, 12 less than Anil Kumble who is at nine. Another Sri Lanka, Muttiah Muralitharan leads the pack with 534 scalps followed by Wasim Akram who has 502 to his name.

Lasith Malinga will hope to keep this form in the World Cup as Sri Lanka look to keep the winning momentum going.