Sri Lanka pacer & former captain Suranga Lakmal will pull down curtains on his illustrious international career after their upcoming India tour.
Lakmal is going to retire after the India tour
“I’m indebted to Sri Lanka Cricket for giving me this astonishing opportunity and having faith in me to bring back my motherland honour as it has been an absolute pleasure to be associated with the board that shaped my professional life and also enriched my personal development,” said Lakmal in his retirement letter submitted to Sri Lanka Cricket.
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for all my players, coaches, team managers, support staff, administrative staff, and all other support staff,” Lakmal further said.
Lakmal made his International debut against India in 2009 in Nagpur. The match was eventually won by Sri Lanka. He made his test debut within a year against West Indies in Colombo whereas he made his T20I debut in 2011 against England.
Lakmal led Sri Lanka in five tests in 2018. the pacer made a successful stint as the stand-in captain leading Sri Lanka to a 2-0 whitewash of South Africa tests at home & a series-levelling win over the West Indies in Barbados making Sri Lanka the first Asian team to win a match at the Kensington Oval.
Suranga has been featured in 86 ODIs scalping 109 wickets at an economy rate of over 5
Lakmal has played 68 tests scalping 168 test wickets at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 72. He has been featured in 86 ODIs scalping 109 wickets at an economy rate of over 5. The former captain has featured in 11 T20Is scalpings eight wickets. Lanka who is known for his ability to move the ball has also registered a five-wicket haul at port Elizabeth & became the only Sri Lankan to have a fifer under his belt in South Africa.
“We take this opportunity to wish Lakmal the very best for his future endeavours, and look forward to seeing him perform for the country during the Sri Lanka Tour of India if the selectors consider him for the tour,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“Lakmal has been an excellent contributor for Sri Lanka Cricket and delivered some memorable spells during his national career, and his services will be remembered well.”
Lakmal is the first player from the Hambantota district to represent Sri Lanka. He also joined the likes of Kapil Dev and Imran Khan to bag a wicket off the first ball to be bowled at a new test venue- the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.