Lasith Malinga Named Greatest Fast Bowler In IPL History

Premier Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga was named as the greatest fast bowler in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. The decision was taken by a group of former cricketers turned experts for the official broadcasters of the lucrative tournament. The experts have seen and and analysed Lasith Malinga closely and picked his ahead of a number of brilliant fast bowlers in contention.

Lasith Malinga beat Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah for the honour

Lasith Malinga was named in the 10-bowler nomination list for the honour. He beat the likes of spinner Sunil Narine and his Mumbai Indians’ teammate Jasprit Bumrah to fetch the top honours. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) quick Dale Steyn and veteran Ashish Nehra were also a part of the nomination.

Malinga has represented Mumbai Indians since 2009 and has been an integral part of the side. He has shared the new ball with Bumrah and often proved to be lethal. Though in the last few years he has lost touch, the Mumbai franchise has still backed him. He was a part of Mumbai Indians’ triumphs in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. He was also named the bowling mentor for the franchise in 2018 but then returned as a player in the next season.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen was highly in favour of Malinga for the honour and reckoned that he has been consistent with his yorkers. He also added, Malinga is ‘my guy’.

“I’m going with Lasith. You look at the numbers he has served up and the way he has consistently used that yorker, that makes everyone talk about it. Malinga is my guy,’ Pietersen said.

“I would go with Narine, but he has bowled on wickets which helped turn. Also, he has been questioned on a few occasions for this suspect bowling action, so I am afraid to say that I am going with Malinga,” he added.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Imran Tahir and Yuzvendra Chahal were the other bowlers named in the nomination list.