Admirable, true match-winner: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah heap praise on Lasith Malinga

Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga are similar in many ways. Both have unorthodox actions, with Malinga having a slingy action and Bumrah having a predominantly unorthodox action. Bumrah and Malinga bowl brilliantly in the death overs and have the ability to nail the yorkers at will. Both have prospered under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma in Mumbai Indians and the trio has been part of four Mumbai Indians' title triumphs in the tournament. Malinga played his last ODI for Sri Lanka during the game against Bangladesh and he finished with figures of 3/38 to finish with 338 wickets, the ninth-highest overall in ODIs and one more than Anil Kumble.

Following his retirement, many cricketing legends heaped praise on Malinga with Bumrah and Rohit leading the praise. "Classic Mali spell. Thank you for everything you've done for cricket. Always admired you and will always continue to do so." Rohit also said, "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 gives me breather during a tense situation and he never failed to deliver, such was his presence within the team. Best wishes LM for the future."

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The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the R Premadasa stadium on Friday after the end of their poor ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaigns had a huge significance for the hosts. Lasith Malinga, the bowling spearhead who made a name for himself with his slinging action, brilliant death overs bowling and ability to take hat-tricks at will, was playing his last ODI. Sri Lanka was boosted by a brilliant 111 from Kusal Perera as they reached 314/8. In response, the Sri Lankan crowds witnessed a Malinga special as he sent back Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar. With Bangladesh reeling, the stage was set for Malinga to bow out with the ultimate farewell. Bowling his final over, Malinga got the wicket of Mustafizur Rahman with a full ball for 18 as Bangladesh lost by 91 runs. Malinga ended with figures of 9.4-2-38-3 and ended with 338 wickets, the ninth-best among bowlers in ODIs going past Anil Kumble's mark.

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Speaking after the end of the match, Malinga said it was the right time to retire from ODIs and urged future players to be match-winners for the country. "I have been playing for the last 15 years for Sri Lanka and this is the right time to move on. My time is over and I have to go. Winning is very important for me; We are a young team. I tried my best throughout my career. Some of the young bowlers in the country have a good ability, so they need to try and produce match-winning spells. You have to be a match-winner for your team, that's my advice," Malinga said.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Lasith Malinga ended with figures of 9.4-2-38-3.
• Malinga ended with 338 wickets, the ninth-highest in ODIs.
• Malinga also took three hat-tricks in ODIs, including four in four balls.