Lasith Malinga bowls off-spin, claims three wickets in one over

Ever since his foray into international cricket, Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga has been one of the iconic pace bowlers of the modern game. From his slinging action to sheer brute and pace, the Lankan has been well-known in the circuit for decimating any batting line-up on his day. However, in a recent county match during the MCA Premier league, Malinga pulled off a stunt which astonished every spectator in the stands. Malinga quit his “slinga” and instead decided to bowl off-spin and the reason is due to bad light at MCA Grounds. A move that deceived every batsman playing the match.

Apart from his contribution with the ball, the 34-year-old pacer led his side, Teejay Lanka to victory as they emerged champions of the 25th Singer –MCA Premier League Knock-Out tournament beating LB Finance by 82 runs according to the D/L method. The match got off to a late start due to wet outfield and was re-scheduled to 42 overs per side.

Match details

Sent in to bat first Teejay Lanka posted 266 runs in 38.4 overs courtesy two good knocks by Shalika Karunanayake and Sachithra Senanayake. An aggressive Karunanayake hit eight sixes and a single boundary for his 68 runs which came off just 40 balls. Senanayake too was belligerent and had four hits to the ropes and one over it for his 67 runs off 45 balls. The pair provided an invaluable partnership of 101 runs for the seventh wicket.

Chasing an achievable target, LB Finance trotted along to score 125 runs for 7 wickets in 25 overs when bad light stopped play. Sahan Arachchige scored 26 runs, Priyamal Perera scored an unbeaten 24 runs and Kusal Mendis scored 24 runs.

However, it was skipper Lasith Malinga who turned the tables around. He was seen in an unusual role of bowling off spin off a short run up to finish the 20 overs and he did well to capture three wickets for 22 runs and Sachithra Senanayake took 3 wickets for 35 runs. Shalika Karunanayake of Teejay Lanka was adjudged man of the match.

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