Veteran Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga made his final World Cup appearance against India at Headingley stadium in Leeds on Saturday.
It was not a fairytale ending for him as his team could not sign off with a win as the Men in Blue registered a thumping seven-wicket victory. The 35-year-old speedster also could also not make an impact with his performance as he took only one wicket by conceding 82 runs in 10 overs.
As Malinga’s World Cup career came to an end, his IPL teammates Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya hailed the champion pacer on social media.
Lasith Malinga was and is a champion player. Fond memories together 😁 pic.twitter.com/mTZBgUKMlm
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 6, 2019
An honour to play with you and an honour to play against you! LEGEND 🎯 pic.twitter.com/SMjpeOaziV
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) July 6, 2019
This LEGEND 🤩 Always smiling and always inspiring 😆 pic.twitter.com/egiTOaToFX
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) July 6, 2019
Here’s how others reacted:
There won’t be another like him … Lasith Malinga . Tactically smart and strong … great character and resilience too to battle injury and other challenges . Stand up for the Champion !!! Well done Peththa on your legacy !!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) July 7, 2019
Lasith Malinga ends his world cup career as the 3rd Highest wicket taker in the World cup history with 56 wickets behind Glenn Mcgrath and Muralidharan pic.twitter.com/bNVw8V5oaI
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) July 6, 2019
Lasith Malinga finishes his World Cup career:
– 56 wkts, 3rd-most
– Only bowler to take 10+ wickets in 4 WC editions
– Only bowler to take 4 wkts in 4 balls
– Only bowler to take 2 hat-tricks#CWC19 #IndvSL— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 6, 2019
If India goes on to win the World Cup, don't forget the contribution of Malinga because of his work with Bumrah. Even if we don't, he has helped create a gem for India.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 6, 2019
Thank you for keeping us on our toes!
Farewell Malinga, it was an honour watching you play.#TheIndGame ICC #CWC19 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/1yaPvgmlPw— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) July 6, 2019
Well played, Lasith Malinga. Few have the ability to change the course of a match….you did it plenty of times. Go well…
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 6, 2019
Lasith Malinga ends his World Cup career as the 3rd highest wicket taker in the CWC history with 56 wickets! #Legend
Most wickets in World Cups:
71 G McGrath
68 M Muralitharan
56 L MALINGA
55 Wasim Akram
49 C Vaas pic.twitter.com/dBq1uVjmx2— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 6, 2019
A unique action 😵
Great Yorkers 🎯
Slower Balls 💫
Countless match winning spells ⚡️
5️⃣6️⃣ WC wickets (3rd Most ever)
2️⃣ WC hat-tricks (Only bowler to do so)
4️⃣ wickets in 4️⃣ balls
1️⃣ Lasith Malinga 👏We will not see another bowler like him. #CWC19 #Malinga pic.twitter.com/6uL6pKuYZb
— Ahmer Najeeb Satti (@AhmerNajeeb) July 7, 2019
#Malinga
Legend never retired pic.twitter.com/I1cCdoYoVC— Awiral (@anant_ro) July 6, 2019
Farewell, Malinga!
One of the finest to have played the game. True fighter. Thank you for the memories.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 6, 2019
Apart from everything else, Lasith Malinga will be remembered for the way he carried maggi over his head for so many years.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) July 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/LoyalSachinFan/status/1147556084099551232
Malinga completes his last World Cup over, 🔟 runs from it!
What a white ball cricketer he has been! 😎👍
Take a bow 🙌#SLvIND #CWC19 #TeamIndia #KorboLorboJeetbo— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 6, 2019
Thank you, Lasith Malinga.
Your contribution to Sri Lankan and Mumbai Indian's cricket is immeasurable.#IndvSL
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 6, 2019
