Lasith Malinga surpasses Afridi as highest T20I wicket-taker

Lasith Malinga went past Pakistan's Shahid Afridi to become the highest wicket-taker in the T20Is as he dismissed New Zealand's Colin de Grandhomme for his 99th scalp.

Published : Sep 01, 2019 23:09 IST

Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga is one short of 100 T20I wickets.

Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga Sunday became the highest wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals with his 99th scalp in the first match against New Zealand, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

Malinga, who retired from Test cricket in 2011 and played his farewell one-day international in July, bowled Colin Munro in the first over of the New Zealand chase to equal Afridi’s record of 98 wickets.

The 36-year-old then cleaned up Colin de Grandhomme, for 44, to achieve the feat in his 74th T20 match of his illustrious career.

Afridi, a leg-spinner who also captained Pakistan, played 99 T20 matches.

Malinga is a quick known for bowling yorkers with his slinging action, made his T20 debut against England in 2006.