11:10pm Lasith Malinga is back for an encore. Yanks the mic from Roshan Abeysinghe's hand, takes the spotlight and addresses the home crowd in the local language. They're listening. they're clapping. They're celebrating. A true rockstar. Thanks for joining us tonight. We hope you enjoyed it.
Dimuth Karunaratne: All the boys are supporting me in the last few months. World Cup and upto here, they've given me their 100%. We're in the right path. We need to improve a few things. I think the World Cup we were quite behind batting-wise, but after the first few games we put our hands up and batted really well. Even today we batted really well. This is the best thing we can give him [Malinga]. Told the boys to give 200% for Mali and they did a great job. Every time we needed Mali, he would take wickets. We need to find the bowler to replace him. I think they will put their hands up and do their job. He's a legend. He's done really well for Sri Lanka. The World Cup, even today, he did a great job. If I gave him the ball, he did the job for me. We'll miss Mali. He's still playing T20s and I think he will lift the World Cup for Sri Lanka.
Tamim Iqbal: I've been struggling a bit. When I'm the captain, I need to start performing well, lead from the front. Today the boys showed character. At one point it looked like 350-360 would be the target. We need to regroup ourselves. Two games to go. Hopefully we can do better. The 15 I have, I'm very happy with them. We just have to keep on trusting them. They have the ability, just have to take responsibility. The good thing is we're still in the competition.
Kusal Perera, Man of the Match:
Feeling much better now. My back was a little stiff. Worked with the pysio. It's getting better now. In the World Cup I played as an opening batsman, but here I played no. 3. Different situations. I always back myself. Sometimes I took calculated risks. Sometimes we have to take some risks. [Malinga] is a legend. He taught us good lessons and is always telling us what we have to do.
Lasith Malinga: I think it's the correct time to retire. I've played last 15 years for Sri Lanka. Really honoured and happy to play with the crowd belong. I feel it's the right time to move [on] because we have to look forward to 2023. That's when I knew my time is over. Winning is very important because we're a young team and we're looking to win. The captain expected me to take a wicket throughout my career [...] I tried my best that's why I succeeded. You have to be yourself. These young bowlers have to now get match-winning performances. People should say, "he is a match winner".
Chamila: "He's a true LEGEND... Thank You Mali...<3"
Aman: "Wicket on last ball of his ODI career. WHAT A LEGEND."
NavrajUpadhyaya: "Mallinga finishing in style. What a way to say goodbye"
Aayush Pathak: "The crowd loud is high but deep inside they are emotional. Love you maali!"
Niraj: "Salute to Malinga, I remember him forever due to his unique bowling action and cute smile..Love from Nepal"
RiwajAdhikari: "A big man with golden curly hair comes hustling around with number 99 and MALINGA written on his back, The toe crushing yorker. Goes underneath the bat. Leg stump goes for the toss. An absolute sight to watch. You will be missed legend. #ThankYouMalinga"
10:38pm Holds up his hands. Lasith Malinga: 226 matches, 338 wickets at 28.87. Finishes ahead of Anil Kumble. Hugs from his team-mates and hugs as he walks through Bangladesh's guard of honour. End of a chase, and warmth all around. It cannot get more Malinga than this. What a career. Even as he goes out 35 years of age, he goes out having been Sri Lanka's best bowler in the innings. Gave Bangladesh NOTHING at the start. On his last day, he still shows the way. A top performance from Sri Lanka otherwise too. Lost their way at the back end of the innings, but the start was sublime. Kusal Perera turned it on yet again. Bangladesh had a short period of recovery, but nothing more.
Mustafizur Rahman c NLTC Perera b Malinga 18 (14b 3x4 0x6) SR: 128.57
Goes around the wicket
Back over the wicket now
Malinga's last over in ODI cricket coming up. "Mali! Mali! Mali!" It just doesn't stop. He's around the wicket. Leg gully and slip in place.
END OF OVER:41 | 14 Runs | BAN: 218/9 (97 runs required from 54 balls, RR: 5.31, RRR: 10.77)
- Mustafizur Rahman18 (13b)
- Rubel Hossain1 (3b)
- Nuwan Pradeep9-1-51-3
- Lasith Malinga9-2-33-2
Pradeep, around the wicket with two slips and a gully
END OF OVER:40 | 1 Run | BAN: 204/9 (111 runs required from 60 balls, RR: 5.10, RRR: 11.10)
- Rubel Hossain1 (3b)
- Mustafizur Rahman4 (7b)
- Lasith Malinga9-2-33-2
- Nuwan Pradeep8-1-37-3
"Maali! Maali! Maali!" Clap. Clap. Clap.
Flashlights up from one section of the crowd
