Sri Lankan veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga on Sunday became the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, surpassing Pakistan’s former skipper Shahid Afridi.
Malinga achieved the record feat in his team’s first T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand. The 36-year-old took the wicket of Black Caps all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme in the 14th over of the second innings to achieve the landmark.
With this wicket Malinga brought his tally to 99 wickets, surpassing Afridi’s total of 98 wickets. Earlier in the match, the pacer had also dismissed Colin Munro to equal Afridi’s record.
Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga becomes the highest wicket-taker (99) in Twenty20 cricket. #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/vHIinIMuqn
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 1, 2019
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka rode on a 53-ball 79 by Kusal Mendis to reach a competitive 174-4 in their 20 overs.
But, the Black Caps comfortably reached the set target of 175 runs in 19.3 overs with five wickets in hand.
Meanwhile, former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akthar took to Twitter to congratulate Malinga on achieving the record feat.
“Congratulations to Lasith Malinga on becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. He has broken my friend @SAfridiOfficial’s long standing record of 98 wickets. Certainly an inspiration for the younger generation,” he tweeted.
Congratulations to Lasith Malinga on becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. He has broken my friend @SAfridiOfficial’s long standing record of 98 wickets. Certainly an inspiration for the younger generation 🙌🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/GXfe1QF6QA
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 2, 2019
