He has already announced that after this match he will say goodbye to international cricket. He was given guard of honour in his last match. Lakmal has taken 171 wickets in 70 Tests and 109 wickets in 86 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He took just one wicket in his last Test.
In Lakmal’s last match, the Indian team led by Rahul Dravid congratulated Suranga Lakmal for a wonderful career. After this he was also given a guard of honour. Former India captain Virat Kohli also wished Lakmal the best in his last match.
Suranga Lakmal has decided to leave international cricket at the age of 35. He played his first international match against India in the year 2009. After this, Lakmal played his first Test match against West Indies in 2010.
In Test cricket, he took five wickets in an innings four times. At the same time, he took eight wickets in 11 T20 matches.
He took 170 wickets in 120 innings of 69 Tests played before this match and scored 928 runs during this period. At the same time, he took 109 wickets in 86 ODIs and 8 wickets in 11 T20s.
He also captained the team in 5 Test matches and during this time set a record which no other Asian captain could do till date. He is the only Asian captain to win a Test against West Indies in Barbados.
A couple of years before, he produced a magnificent spell taking a Fifer at Gabba. His service to Sri Lankan cricket is honourable.
He seems fit and energetic and as fresh as he was 4 years ago, however, his team has let him down. Sri Lanka is going downwards and that’s why most of the experienced players are finding their way out.
After saying goodbye to international cricket, Lakmal will be seen playing for English county club Derbyshire. He signed a two-year contract with Derbyshire in February as an overseas player.