Malinga rolls back the years, creates history in T20I cricket

Lasith Malinga further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest white-ball bowlers of all-time. He completely blew away the New Zealand top-order, to pick up 4 wickets in 4 deliveries. His exploits meant that Sri Lanka sealed a famous win in the final T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand in Pallekele. New Zealand still ended up taking the series victory with a 2-1 margin. The Blackcaps were set a relatively small target of 126 to chase down in their 20 overs. But the Sri Lankan skipper’s heroics rattled out the Kiwis for 88, leading to a 37 run victory.

How it happened

Malinga’s exploits came in the second over of the match. New Zealand had gotten off to a flying start, scoring 12 runs off Akila Dananjaya’s 1st over. Malinga’s first wicket came in the 3rd delivery of the over. A trademark fast yorker castled up opener Colin Munro. Hamish Rutherford then followed suit, becoming a victim of a deadly inswinger for an LBW. He was initially given not out, but Malinga reviewed the call and saw the decision being overturned, much to his delight.

And Ross Taylor goes!

HE'S GOT FOUR IN FOUR!

It's not even the first time he's done this! #SLvNZ https://t.co/ruvS6ITPLC

— ICC (@ICC) September 6, 2019

The in-form Colin de Grandhomme then walked out to the middle. Even he could not escape the wrath of Malinga, as a beautiful late outswinger dislodged his off-stump. Records were created. But Malinga is not one for creating records, he aims to rewrite the history books. In the final delivery of the over, the veteran Ross Taylor had to depart for a duck. Another sensational yorker. Another victim. 4 in 4. History created!

Malinga would also pick up the scalp of Tim Seifert to end up with sensational figures of 5-6 in his spell of 4 overs.

Rewriting the record books

With this feat, Malinga created many records. He became the only bowler in international cricket history to repeat the haul of 4 wickets in 4 deliveries for a second time. It was also Malinga’s second five-wicket haul of his T20I career. His first scalp in the match of Colin Munro ensured that he became the first bowler in T20I history to pick up 100 wickets. He broke Shahid Afridi’s record of 98 wickets in the first T20I. This was also Malinga’s second hat-trick in T20I cricket, the only bowler in history to do so. Overall, this was the fifth hat-trick of his international career.

Slinga Malinga still delivering the goods!