Lasith Malinga’s Remarkable Cricket Records
Lasith
Malinga Records: 546 International Wickets
Malinga
ODI Records: 338 Wickets in One-Day Cricket
A
unique sling-arm action, deadly yorkers and the ability to change the course of
a match with his bowling made Lasith Malinga one of the greatest fast bowlers
in cricket history. Even after bidding farewell to international cricket in
2021, his influence continues to inspire the next generation of fast bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga is remembered as much more than just a pace bowler. He is widely regarded as one of the masters of death bowling in modern limited-overs cricket. His low sling-arm action, pinpoint yorkers and ability to pick up wickets in difficult situations made him one of the most dangerous bowlers of his generation.
Malinga
played his final ODI against Bangladesh at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on
July 26, 2019. Sri Lanka won the match by 91 runs, with Malinga taking three
wickets for 38 runs in his farewell ODI. He signed off from one-day cricket in
memorable fashion by taking a wicket with the final ball of his ODI career.
But
Malinga’s story did not end there. He continued playing T20 international
cricket and played his final T20I against the West Indies in March 2020. On
September 14, 2021, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Malinga
Bid Farewell to ODI Cricket in 2019
Malinga
played 226 ODIs and took 338 wickets. In his final ODI against Bangladesh, he
claimed three wickets as Sri Lanka secured a 91-run victory. At the time, he
moved ahead of Indian great Anil Kumble’s tally of 337 ODI wickets and became
the ninth-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket.
The
biggest strength of Malinga’s ODI career was not merely the number of wickets
he took, but his ability to deliver at crucial moments. Whether bowling with
the new ball or operating during the final overs, he constantly challenged
batsmen with his pace, variations and accuracy.
Retirement
from International Cricket in 2021
After
having already retired from Test and ODI cricket, Malinga finally bid farewell
to T20 international cricket in September 2021. With that, his international
career came to an end.
According
to the ICC, Malinga represented Sri Lanka in 30 Tests, 226 ODIs and 84 T20
internationals, taking a total of 546 wickets across the three formats.
Malinga’s
Performance Across All Three Formats
|
Format |
Matches |
Wickets |
Best
Bowling |
|
Test |
30 |
101 |
5/50 |
|
ODI |
226 |
338 |
6/38 |
|
T20
International |
84 |
107 |
5/6 |
|
Total |
340 |
546 |
— |
These
numbers highlight the fact that Malinga’s impact was not limited to any one
format of the game.
Malinga
Hat-Trick: The Only Bowler with Three ODI Hat-Tricks
Lasith
Malinga holds one of the most remarkable records in ODI cricket. He is the only
bowler in the world to have taken three ODI hat-tricks.
He
took his first ODI hat-trick against South Africa in 2007, followed by one
against Kenya in 2011 and another against Australia during the same World Cup.
Two of his three ODI hat-tricks came during the 2011 World Cup.
Malinga
Four Wickets Four Balls: A Historic Moment
March
28, 2007, remains one of the most memorable days of Malinga’s career. During
the World Cup match against South Africa in the West Indies, South Africa
appeared to be on the verge of victory. It needed only four runs to win and had
five wickets in hand.
Then
came one of the most extraordinary spells in World Cup history.
Malinga
took four wickets in four consecutive deliveries, completely turning the
momentum of the match. He became the first bowler in ODI cricket to take four
wickets in four successive balls.
Although
South Africa eventually won the match by one wicket, Malinga’s extraordinary
spell became an unforgettable chapter in cricket history.
How
Malinga Made the Yorker His Greatest Weapon
Malinga
became famous for his deadly yorkers. His bowling action was completely
different from that of conventional fast bowlers. His arm came from a low angle
as he released the ball, making it difficult for batsmen to read the length and
trajectory.
He
also combined his yorkers with slower deliveries and changes of pace. This
variation made him particularly dangerous during the death overs.
His
ability to maintain accuracy while constantly changing pace became one of the
defining features of his bowling.
Captain
Malinga Helped Sri Lanka Win the 2014 T20 World Cup
Under
Malinga’s leadership, Sri Lanka won the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
In
the final, Sri Lanka defeated India by six wickets to win the T20 World Cup for
the first time. Malinga contributed not only with the ball but also with his
leadership, tactical awareness and experience on the field.
Malinga
Also Left a Lasting Mark on the IPL
Malinga
established himself in several major T20 leagues around the world, but his
association with the Mumbai Indians remains particularly special.
He
played a crucial role for Mumbai Indians, especially during the death overs,
and helped the team win several important matches.
The
2019 IPL final is one of the finest examples. Against Chennai Super Kings,
Malinga bowled the final over and defended the target as Mumbai Indians won the
thrilling contest by just one run.
His
ability to remain calm under pressure and execute his slower balls and yorkers
at crucial moments made him one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history.
His
Cricketing Journey Continued After Retirement
Although
Malinga retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, his association with the
game did not end. He continued to contribute as a mentor and coach, sharing his
experience with young fast bowlers.
In
December 2025, Sri Lanka Cricket brought him in as a consultant fast-bowling
coach for the preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup. His short-term
assignment was scheduled from December 15, 2025, to January 25, 2026.
His
post-retirement role demonstrates how his vast experience is now being used to
help develop the next generation of fast bowlers.
Malinga’s
Biggest Message to Young Fast Bowlers
When
Malinga’s career is examined closely, it becomes clear that his greatest
strength was not simply raw pace. He turned his unconventional technique into
his biggest weapon.
His
journey sends a powerful message to young players: if your style is different
from others, do not necessarily see it as a weakness. Instead, work on it and
turn that difference into your greatest strength.
After
his final ODI in 2019, Malinga urged young players to become match-winners. His
career demonstrated that players who want to remain in a team for a long time
must be ready to perform when their team needs them the most.
Lasith
Malinga’s Major International Career Statistics
Test
Cricket
- Matches:
30
- Wickets:
101
- Best
Bowling: 5/50
- Five-wicket
hauls: 3
ODI
Cricket
- Matches:
226
- Wickets:
338
- Best
Bowling: 6/38
- Five-wicket
hauls: 8
- Hat-tricks:
3
T20
International Cricket
- Matches:
84
- Wickets:
107
- Best
Bowling: 5/6
- Five-wicket
hauls: 2
- Hat-tricks:
2
Across
All Three Formats
- Total
Matches: 340
- Total
Wickets: 546
These
figures reflect Malinga’s outstanding international career across all three
formats.
Malinga’s
Legacy Goes Far Beyond His Cricket Records
Lasith
Malinga left behind much more than impressive wicket-taking numbers. He
popularised a unique approach to fast bowling and demonstrated that a player
could achieve world-class success without necessarily following conventional
techniques.
His
sling-arm action, deadly yorkers, mastery of death bowling and ability to take
wickets under pressure continue to make him one of the most distinctive fast
bowlers in cricket history.
Even
in 2026, when the conversation turns to the new generation of fast bowlers,
Malinga’s influence can still be seen. Years after walking away from
competitive cricket, his impact on the game remains strong.
And
perhaps that is the greatest mark of a true cricketing legend: the ability to
remain influential long after leaving the field.
Read in hindi
तेजी लाने के लिए रेत पर गेंद फेंकते थे मलिंगा | Lasith Malinga Biography In Hindi
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