Twitter Reactions: Kusal Perera and bowlers script fitting ODI swansong for Lasith Malinga

The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo was Lasith Malinga’s last in the 50-overs format. The Islanders made it a memorable outing for the veteran, winning the encounter by 91 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. From a personal viewpoint, Lasith had a wonderful day as he finished with three wickets, showing the same accuracy he has been churning out throughout his career.

Perera stamps his authority

Chasing has been tricky at times at the venue and it wasn’t a surprise that the Lankans opted to bat first. The hosts lost Avishka Fernando early to Shafiul Islam, but skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (36) and Kusal Perera (111) put on 97 runs for the second wicket off 71 balls to set the tone for the rest of the innings. Mehidy Hasan got rid of Karunaratne to separate the duo, but Perera carried on.

The southpaw notched his fifth ODI ton in a mere 82 deliveries. He was well supported by Kusal Mendis (43). Angelo Mathews (48) and Lahiru Thirimanne (25) chipped in with handy knocks and guided Lanka to a decent score of 314. For the Tigers, Tamim Iqbal looked hapless in his maiden stint as the ODI skipper. Shafiul was the most successful among the bowlers with three wickets.

Tigers crumble under pressure

Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start as Malinga breathed fire to castle Tamim for a five-ball duck. Soumya Sarkar also fell prey to a lethal Yorker from the speedster. Nuwan Pradeep trapped Mohammad Mithun to open his account. Mahmudullah guided one straight down the throat of the third man off Lahiru Kumara. After 11.5 overs, the Tigers slumped to 39/4 and were in all sorts of trouble.

Thereafter, Mushfiqur Rahim (67) and Sabbir Rahman (60) steadied the ship with a 111-run stand. Just when the partnership was staging a comeback, Sabbir threw his wicket away to Dhananjaya de Silva. Then the visitors went down the barrel. Pradeep drilled the final nail in the coffin, getting rid of Rahim. Malinga ended his ODI career with Mustafizur Rahman’s wicket off the last ball of his quota.

Here is how Twitter lauded Malinga and Sri Lanka

Wat a Final spell!
Wat a legendary career from a legendary player, a true gentleman & have been a great inspiration for many | lucky enough to play together! ???????? #SLvBAN #ThankYouMalinga @Lasith99Malinga
PS – Gud luck for the T20s

— Danushka Gunathilaka (@danushka_70) July 26, 2019

Only Bowler to take 2 WC Hatricks, total 3 ODI hatricks, & a man who made so many aspirations and beliefs come true in young cricketers, that one can succeed & like how, even with an unconventional bowling action. One of the all time greats & a great ambassador, #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/5GAByLTqFv

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2019

Classic Mali spell ???? Thank you for everything you’ve done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so ????.

— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 26, 2019

If I had to pick one match winner among many others for @mipaltan in the last decade, this man will be on the top for sure. As a captain he give me breather during tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future pic.twitter.com/gJJJKy8gL3

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 26, 2019

Finishes off with a three-for and the final wicket of the match. That’s it from Lasith Malinga in ODIs. A true great.#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/iB8XscjGCt

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) July 26, 2019

The end of an era as Lasith Malinga retires from ODIs having taken 338 wickets which is the 9th highest in history #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/rJa1JLZ5Eb

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 26, 2019

Lasith Malinga 338 ODI wkts.
He goes past Anil Kumble (337) to become the 9th highest wicket-taker in ODIs!#SLvBan#BanvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 26, 2019

Lasith Malinga bids farewell to ODI cricket. #SLvBAN #ThankYouMalinga pic.twitter.com/WG9EBgH0In

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 26, 2019

In his final Odi, figures of Malinga :

– 9.4 overs
– 2 maiden
– 38 runs
– 3 wickets (Tamim, Soumya, Fizz)#ThankYouMalinga

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) July 26, 2019

Sri Lanka’s best right-arm fast bowler calls it a day in ODIs ???????? #ThankYouMalinga for all the memories ????#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan pic.twitter.com/vlD1WeDm0j

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 26, 2019

Awful batting from Bangladeshi top order & also ordinary bowling in 1st 25 overs!! #SLvBAN

— Md Mehedi Hasan (@mehediAFRIDIAN) July 26, 2019

Curly hairs, weird action, toe-crushing Yorkers and a smile! You left us with so much to remember Malinga!#ThankYouMalinga#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/0IOiamhQhW

— CricStay (@CricStay) July 26, 2019

A great career comes to an end. Sri Lanka’s finest ODI bowler after Murali. Overall, among the 5 biggest match-winners of his country in limited-overs. Will be remembered for his searing yorkers, crafty slower balls, quirky hairstyle & unassuming disposition.. Thanks, Malinga !!!

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) July 26, 2019

Lasith Malinga bows out of ODI cricket today with 6* and 3-38, including a wicket with his last ball.

He is not gone for good as he will still play T20s, but a fitting way for a legend to leave the ODI stage.#SLvBAN #Malinga

— CricketBadger (@cricket_badger) July 26, 2019