Lasith Malinga Becomes All-Time Leading Wicket-taker In T20Is

Veteran Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga has added yet another feather to his illustrious cap. The Sri Lanka captain, on Sunday, became the leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. Lasith Malinga broke former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi‘s record to achieve the feat. Afridi picked up 98 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

Lasith Malinga achieved the incredible feat during the T20I against New Zealand. He picked up 2 wickets for 23 runs in the game to take his tally to 99 wickets from 74 matches. Afridi had taken his 98 wickets in 99 matches.

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Malinga struck early to castle Colin Munro in the first over of the New Zealand chase to equal Afridi’s record of 98 wickets. He then accounted for the wicket of Colin de Grandhomme ( 44) to achieve the feat in the 74th match of his illustrious career. Malinga had made his T20 debut against England in 2006.

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Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan (88 wickets), former Pakistan bowlers Umar Gul (85 wickets) and Saeed Ajmal (85 wickets) and Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan (75 wickets) complete the top six.

The special day for Malinga, meanwhile, ended on a disappointing note as New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by five wickets. Chasing 175,  Ross Taylor (48 off 29) and De Grandomme (44 off 28) smashed Sri Lanka’s bowlers all around the park while adding 79 runs from just 38 balls. Daryl Mitchell (25no off 19) and Mitchell Santner (14no off 8) then powered the Black Caps to their target with three balls to spare.

Earlier in the game, Kusal Mendis (79 off 53) had helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 174 for 4. There were also notable contributions from Niroshan Dickwella (33) and Dashun Shanaka (17no off 12) as well as Isuru Udana (15no off 3).