Legendary Sri Lankan speed merchant Lasith Malinga announced his retirement from the shortest format of the gentlemen’s game on Tuesday. One of the greatest death-over bowlers in the history of the game, Malinga had earlier announced his retirement from franchise cricket as the veteran pacer was released by Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. 

On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan pace ace confirmed that he is retiring from competitive cricket. Malinga had bid farewell to Test cricket in 2011. The former speedster of the Islanders had bowed out from the 50-over format by recording his final One Day International (ODI) appearance for the 1996 world champions in 2019 against Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium. 

Confirming his announcement from the shortest format of the sport through his official YouTube channel, Malinga expressed gratitude to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the former cricketer also thanked his franchise teams including the likes of Mumbai Indians, Melbourne Stars, and Kent Cricket Club. 

“The experience that I have gained through the past 17 years will no longer be needed in the field since I have decided to retire from T20I Cricket marking my retirement from all formats of cricket. But I will be continuously supporting the younger generations who thrives to uplift the spirit of the game and I will always be there with all who love the game,” Malinga wrote. 

The 38-year-old was the captain of the Sri Lankan side that won the T20 World Cup in 2014. Malinga is also the all-time leading wicket-taker in the IPL. Earlier, Malinga had expressed his desire to captain the Sri Lankan national team in the T20 World Cup. Famous for terrorising premier best batsmen with his toe-crushing yorkers, Malinga bagged 107 wickets in 84 T20Is for Sri Lanka. The former pacer picked up 338 wickets in 226 ODIs and 101 scalps in 30 Tests.