View source for Lasith Malinga

{{Short description|Sri Lankan bowler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Family name hatnote|Separamadu|lang=Sinhalese}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox cricketer 
|name = Lasith Malinga 
|image = Lasith Malinga tossing a cricket ball at practice.jpg
|caption = Malinga at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in October 2010
|fullname = Separamadu Lasith Malinga
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|8|28|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Galle]], Sri Lanka
|nickname = 
|batting = Right-handed
|bowling = Right-arm [[fast bowling|fast]]
|role = [[Bowling (cricket)|Bowler]]
|international = true
|internationalspan = 2004–2020
|country = Sri Lanka
|testdebutdate = 1 July
|testdebutyear = 2004
|testdebutagainst = Australia
|testcap = 99
|lasttestdate = 3 August
|lasttestyear = 2010
|lasttestagainst = India
|odidebutdate = 17 July
|odidebutyear = 2004
|odidebutagainst = UAE
|odicap = 123
|lastodidate = 26 July
|lastodiyear = 2019
|lastodiagainst = Bangladesh
|odishirt = 99
|T20Idebutdate = 15 June
|T20Idebutyear = 2006
|T20Idebutagainst = England
|T20Icap = 8
|lastT20Idate = 6 March
|lastT20Iyear = 2020
|lastT20Iagainst = West Indies
|T20Ishirt = 99
|club1 = [[Galle Cricket Club|Galle]]
|year1 = {{nowrap|2001–2004}}
|club2 = [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|Nondescripts]]
|year2 = {{nowrap|2004–2021}}
|club3 = [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]]
|year3 = 2007
|club4 = [[Mumbai Indians]]
|year4 = {{nowrap|2008–2017}}; {{nowrap|2019–2020}}
|club5 = [[Basnahira cricket team|Basnahira]]
|year5 = {{nowrap|2010–2011}}
|club6 = [[Ruhuna Royals]]
|year6 = 2012
|club7 = [[Melbourne Stars]]
|year7 = {{nowrap|2012–2014}}
|club8 = [[Dhaka Gladiators]]
|year8 = 2013
|club9 = [[Guyana Amazon Warriors]]
|year9 = 2013
|club10 = [[Southern Express T20|Southern Express]]
|year10 = 2014
|club11 = [[Rangpur Riders]]
|year11 = 2017
|club12 = [[Khulna Titans]]
|year12 = 2019
|columns = 4
|column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|column3 = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
|column4 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|matches1 = 30
|matches2 = 226
|matches3 = 84
|matches4 = 84
|runs1 = 275
|runs2 = 567
|runs3 = 136
|runs4 = 585
|bat avg1 = 11.45
|bat avg2 = 6.83
|bat avg3 = 3.47
|bat avg4 = 9.75
|100s/50s1 = 0/1
|100s/50s2 = 0/1
|100s/50s3 = 0/0
|100s/50s4 = 0/1
|top score1 = 64
|top score2 = 56
|top score3 = 27
|top score4 = 64
|deliveries1 = 5,209
|deliveries2 = 10,936
|deliveries3 = 1,781
|deliveries4 = 11,927
|wickets1 = 101
|wickets2 = 338
|wickets3 = 107
|wickets4 = 257
|bowl avg1 = 33.15
|bowl avg2 = 28.87
|bowl avg3 = 20.36
|bowl avg4 = 30.28
|fivefor1 = 3
|fivefor2 = 8
|fivefor3 = 2
|fivefor4 = 7
|tenfor1 = 0
|tenfor2 = 0
|tenfor3 = 0
|tenfor4 = 0
|best bowling1 = 5/50
|best bowling2 = 6/38
|best bowling3 = 5/6
|best bowling4 = 6/17
|catches/stumpings1 = 7/–
|catches/stumpings2 = 31/–
|catches/stumpings3 = 20/–
|catches/stumpings4 = 24/–
|source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49758.html ESPNcricinfo
|date = 6 March 2020
| medaltemplates = <!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West Indies]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 India–Bangladesh–Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC T20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009 England]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012 Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ACC Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014 Asia Cup|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 Asia Cup|2010 Sri Lanka]]|}}
|height=5 ft 7 in<ref name="CricketCountry-YorkerSpecialists">{{cite news
 |title=Thommo, Garner, Waqar & Malinga – four yorker specialists with license to thrill!
 |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/thommo-garner-waqar-malinga-four-yorker-specialists-with-license-to-thrill-1943/
 |work=Cricket Country
 |last=Natarajan
 |first=H
 |date=16 April 2011
 |access-date=23 September 2025
 |quote=At five feet, seven inches, Malinga is a short man compared to Thomson, Garner and Waqar.
}}</ref>}}
'''Separamadu Lasith Malinga''' ({{langx|si|සෙපරමාදු ලසිත් මාලිංග}}; {{langx|ta|லசித் மாலிங்க}}; born 28 August 1983) is a Sri Lankan former [[cricket]]er who is widely regarded as one of the greatest limited overs bowlers of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rindl |first=Josef |date=22 June 2020 |title=Lasith Malinga named greatest-ever T20 fast bowler by The Greatest T20 podcast |url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/lasith-malinga-named-greatest-ever-t20-fast-bowler-by-the-greatest-t20-podcast |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=1 April 2025 |magazine=[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga: Test cricket's loss, limited-overs' gain|url=https://www.cricket.com/news/lasith-malinga-test-crickets-loss-limited-overs-gain-1593581345373|date=1 July 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|website=www.cricket.com|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200737/https://www.cricket.com/news/lasith-malinga-test-crickets-loss-limited-overs-gain-1593581345373|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=21 April 2020|title=Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga named greatest bowler in IPL history|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/lasith-malinga-named-greatest-bowler-in-ipl-history-kevin-pietersen-6371966/|access-date=2 December 2022|work=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200751/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/lasith-malinga-named-greatest-bowler-in-ipl-history-kevin-pietersen-6371966/|url-status=live}}</ref> Playing as a right-arm [[fast bowler]], Malinga was commonly used as a specialist [[Glossary of cricket terms#death bowler|death bowler]], and captained the [[Sri Lanka national cricket team]] to the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 T20 World Cup]] title. He was nicknamed "'''Slinga Malinga'''" due to his distinctive [[Roundarm bowling|round-arm]] action, sometimes referred to as a sling action.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gopalan |first=Ravi |date=22 June 2019 |title=Is Slinga Malinga the best ever bowler in the IPL? |url=https://medium.com/@ravi_gopalan/is-slinga-malinga-the-best-ever-bowler-in-the-ipl-11f4fba63403 |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200750/https://medium.com/@ravi_gopalan/is-slinga-malinga-the-best-ever-bowler-in-the-ipl-11f4fba63403 |url-status=live }}</ref> He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 14 September 2021.

Malinga's unorthodox action and dipping slower ball [[yorker]]s are credited with much of his success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/lasith-malinga-49758|title=Lasith Malinga|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415023611/https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/lasith-malinga-49758|url-status=live}}</ref> He changed the dynamics and landscape of death bowling in limited overs cricket through his technique and approach. Malinga is known for his ability to take wickets on consecutive balls, often through bowling in-swinging yorkers: he is the only bowler in the world to have two World Cup [[Hat-trick|hat-tricks]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/hat-tricks-in-world-cup-cricket-1561369195-1|title=List of Hat-Tricks in Cricket World Cups|last=Singh|first=Hemant|date=15 July 2019|website=Jagranjosh.com|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200739/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/hat-tricks-in-world-cup-cricket-1561369195-1|url-status=live}}</ref> the first bowler to take a double hat-trick, the only bowler to take 4 wickets in 4 balls twice in international cricket, the only bowler to have taken three hat-tricks in ODIs and only bowler to have two double hat-tricks.<ref name=hat-tricks>{{cite news|title=Hat-tricks|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/263626.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/263626.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49614471|title=Lasith Malinga: Sri Lanka bowler takes four wickets in four balls for second time|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922082334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49614471|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also the first bowler to take five hat-tricks across all formats of international cricket, and holds the record for most hat-tricks in international cricket.<ref name=hat-tricks/>

On 22 April 2011, he announced his retirement from [[Test cricket]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1H5UvS34wc|title=TOP 10 Fastest Bowlers in Current Cricket - YouTube|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309073156/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1H5UvS34wc|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named as the official event ambassador for the 2012 World Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka by ICC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/2012-world-twenty20/Malinga-named-event-ambassador-for-Twenty20-World-Cup/articleshow/13923970.cms|title=Malinga named event ambassador for Twenty20 World Cup|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 June 2012|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235719/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/2012-world-twenty20/Malinga-named-event-ambassador-for-Twenty20-World-Cup/articleshow/13923970.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 July 2019, he retired from [[One Day International]] cricket after the [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2019|first ODI against Bangladesh]].<ref name="International Cricket Council">{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1291521|title=Lasith Malinga set to quit ODIs after first match against Bangladesh|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]|date=23 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=23 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723045500/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1291521|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2019, during the series [[New Zealand cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2019|against New Zealand]], Malinga became the first bowler to [[List of Twenty20 International records#Most wickets in a career|take 100 wickets]] in Twenty20 International cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/246879-sri-lankas-lasith-malinga-becomes-first-t20-bowler-to-claim-100-wickets|title=Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga becomes first T20 bowler to claim 100 wickets|publisher=[[Geo TV]]|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906161546/https://www.geo.tv/latest/246879-sri-lankas-lasith-malinga-becomes-first-t20-bowler-to-claim-100-wickets|url-status=live}}</ref> He achieved a [[List of Twenty20 International cricket hat-tricks|hat-trick]], becoming the first bowler to claim two T20I hat-tricks, and took four wickets in four consecutive balls in the third over of his spell. This feat made him the second bowler to accomplish this in T20I history, following [[Rashid Khan (cricketer)|Rashid Khan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/lasith-malinga-scripts-history-takes-four-wickets-in-four-deliveries-against-new-zealand/story-7iuo0J8cNzxxnOSzfRd1UJ.html|title=Lasith Malinga scripts history, takes four wickets in four deliveries against New Zealand|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=7 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906161949/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/lasith-malinga-scripts-history-takes-four-wickets-in-four-deliveries-against-new-zealand/story-7iuo0J8cNzxxnOSzfRd1UJ.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, he retired from T20 franchise cricket.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/115829/lasith-malinga-retires-from-franchise-cricket-ipl-mumbai-indians-cricbuzzcom|title=Lasith Malinga retires from franchise cricket|website=[[Cricbuzz]]|date=10 January 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200747/https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/115829/lasith-malinga-retires-from-franchise-cricket-ipl-mumbai-indians-cricbuzzcom|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2021, Malinga announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2254920|title=Lasith Maliga announces retirement from all forms of cricket|publisher=International Cricket Council|date=14 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200740/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2254920|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early years==
Malinga grew up in modest circumstances in [[Rathgama]], a coastal village situated {{cvt|12|km}} northwest of [[Galle]]. He often played [[cricket]] with friends on the sand banks and coconut groves by a river in his cricket-obsessed village. His father Separamadu Milton, is a retired bus mechanic who worked out of the Galle depot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1147532/the-last-battles-of-lasith-malinga|title=The last battles of Lasith Malinga|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|magazine=[[The Cricket Monthly]]|date=3 April 2008|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235728/https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1147532/the-last-battles-of-lasith-malinga|url-status=live}}</ref> He had his education at three schools, namely [[Mahinda College]], [[Galle]]; [[Vidyaloka College]], [[Galle]] and Vidyathilake Vidyalaya, [[Thiranagama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.islandcricket.lk/cricket_news/%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9C%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%80-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%83/|title=මාලිංගගේ ඉරියව්ව මා වෙනස් කළේ නෑ – පළමු පුහුණුකරු|work=Island Cricket|language=si|date=11 April 2015|access-date=2 December 2022|author=Saman, Amila|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001227/https://www.islandcricket.lk/cricket_news/%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9C%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%80-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%83/|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga had his primary education at Vidyathilake Vidyalaya in [[Thiranagama]], a school situated near by his village. He married Tanya Perera in 2010.

After passing the grade 5 [[Scholarship Examination]] in 1993, he entered [[Vidyaloka College]], Galle for his secondary education, where he started his cricket career. Here Malinga was discovered by former Sri Lankan [[Fast bowling|paceman]] [[Champaka Ramanayake]]. Champaka, so impressed by Malinga's raw ability, invited him to join the [[Galle Cricket Club]].<ref name=Rathgama>{{cite web|first=Sidharth|last=Monga|title=Where Malinga was made|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-visit-to-rathgama-where-lasith-malinga-grew-up-467602|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 July 2010|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001236/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-visit-to-rathgama-where-lasith-malinga-grew-up-467602|url-status=live}}</ref> Champaka also helped him to join the first XI cricket team of [[Mahinda College]], [[Galle]]. Joining [[Mahinda College]] was the turning point of his cricket career and he was helped by some of its distinguished Old boys.<ref name=Rathgama/> A short-lived attempt to make Malinga's action more upright led to much reduced pace and failing accuracy. Malinga promptly returned to his natural action with success, and with great encouragement from Ramanayake.<ref>{{cite web|first=Charlie|last=Austin|title=My bowling action is natural|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/my-bowling-action-is-natural-135401|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=25 August 2004|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203002750/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/my-bowling-action-is-natural-135401|url-status=live}}</ref>

He didn't pick up hard-ball cricket until relatively in his teenage but his talent was discovered by fast bowling coaches Champaka Ramanayake and [[Anusha Samaranayake]]. Both of them brought him to the domestic system and nurtured him during his early years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga retires from T20s to close out playing career|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-retires-from-t20s-to-close-out-playing-career-1277849|date=14 September 2021|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200742/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-retires-from-t20s-to-close-out-playing-career-1277849|url-status=live}}</ref>

On his first hard-ball game, in  inter-village match at the local ground of Rathgama, he dismissed Kumaraiya, flying the off stump, making it his first leather-ball wicket. During club cricket, he got nicknamed daakaththa (the sickle) by his teammates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1468338/the-slingy-arm-action--as-patented-by-lasith-malinga?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOdxdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUf6euC6nY1y9wwOwTHUM-0764gbbjQrop_ilQS9YCpDqcLzo27qoc5WCA_aem_JbD7EgK97kTHGprQebuQvQ |author=Andrew Fidel Fernando |title=The slingy arm action, as patented by Lasith Malinga |work=Cricket Monthly |date=24 March 2025}}</ref>

==International career==
===Debut years===
[[Image:LMalingaBowling.png|thumb|left|300px|A graph showing Malinga's Test career bowling statistics and how they have varied over time]]

Malinga made his [[Test cricket|Test]] debut on 1 July 2004 against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] at [[Marrara Oval]] In [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lasith Malinga, Sri Lankan Fast Bowler – Basic, Professional and International Career Details|url=https://sportycious.com/player-profile-lasith-malinga-91846|last=siddharth|date=10 September 2015|website=Sportycious|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205181716/https://sportycious.com/player-profile-lasith-malinga-91846/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was immediately successful, taking six [[wicket#Dismissing a batsman|wickets]] in the match ([[Darren Lehmann]] twice, [[Adam Gilchrist]], [[Damien Martyn]], [[Shane Warne]] and [[Michael Kasprowicz]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka tour of Australia, 1st Test: Australia v Sri Lanka at Darwin, Jul 1–3, 2004|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-australia-2004-61603/australia-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-64091/full-scorecard|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235725/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-australia-2004-61603/australia-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-64091/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref> He was impressed by the friendliness of the Australian team in general, and in particular [[Adam Gilchrist]] who sought him out after the game to present him with one of the match stumps in the Sri Lankan dressing room.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jaideep|last=Vaidya|title=Lasith Malinga: The Sri Lankan freak show from humble beginnings|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/lasith-malinga-the-sri-lankan-freak-show-from-humble-beginnings-30387|work=Cricket Country|date=23 August 2014|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200740/https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/lasith-malinga-the-sri-lankan-freak-show-from-humble-beginnings-30387|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malinga made his ODI debut in Sri Lanka's opening match of the [[2004 Asia Cup]] against the [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|United Arab Emirates]], becoming the [[List of Sri Lanka ODI cricketers|123rd]] player to do so. Easily winning the match by 116 runs, Malinga took the wicket of the Emirati captain, [[Khurram Khan]] to finish the match with figures of 1/39.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asia Cup, 4th Match: Sri Lanka v United Arab Emirates at Dambulla, Jul 17, 2004|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2004-61152/sri-lanka-vs-united-arab-emirates-4th-match-65709/full-scorecard|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 July 2004|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001232/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2004-61152/sri-lanka-vs-united-arab-emirates-4th-match-65709/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref> Since then he has become a regular member on the ODI squad.

===Test retirement===
He developed into [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]'s fastest Test bowler and a regular member of both their Test and One Day International sides. He has earned a reputation for troubling batsmen with his lively pace and well-directed [[Bouncer (cricket)|bouncer]]. He regularly bowls at speeds between {{cvt|140|and|150|km/h}} and sometimes slightly faster. As time went by he started to lose pace, clocking around {{cvt|130|and|140|km/h}}. His slower off cutter was also menacing. He burst onto the test scene after ripping through the [[Black Caps|New Zealand]] top order, helping [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] draw the test series on their 2006/07 tour of [[New Zealand]]. He announced his retirement from Test cricket on 22 April 2011 in order to prolong his career in ODI and T20 cricket.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga gives up Test cricket|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-news-lasith-malinga-gives-up-test-cricket-512239|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 April 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001228/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-news-lasith-malinga-gives-up-test-cricket-512239|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Golden World Cups===
During the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] [[2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight stage|Super 8]] match on 28 March between Sri Lanka and [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], Malinga became the first player to take four wickets in four consecutive balls in One Day International cricket.<ref name="Full length, full reward">{{cite web|first1=S|last1=Rajesh|first2=HR|last2=Gopalakrishna|title=Full length, full reward|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/full-length-full-reward-287713|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 March 2007|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001231/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/full-length-full-reward-287713|url-status=live}}</ref> Needing five runs for victory and with five wickets in hand, Malinga was handed the ball in the 45th over of the South African's innings. In the final two balls of the over he cleaned [[bowl]]ed [[Shaun Pollock]] and had [[Andrew Hall]] caught at [[fielding (cricket)|cover]]. In his next over, he removed [[Jacques Kallis]] caught behind then bowled [[Makhaya Ntini]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ICC World Cup, 26th Match, Super Eights: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Providence, Mar 28, 2007|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-cup-2006-07-125929/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-26th-match-super-eights-247482/full-scorecard|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=28 March 2007|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202023653/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-cup-2006-07-125929/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-26th-match-super-eights-247482/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref> This was only the fifth [[List of One Day International cricket hat-tricks|hat-trick]] in World Cup history,<ref>{{cite web|first=Siddhartha|last=Vaidyanathan|title=South Africa survive Malinga's menacing spell|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-cup-2006-07-125929/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-26th-match-super-eights-247482/match-report|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=28 March 2007|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001229/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-cup-2006-07-125929/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-26th-match-super-eights-247482/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref> the third ODI hat-trick for Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web|title=Hat-tricks in One Day International cricket|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/263626.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/263626.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the 24th overall in ODIs.<ref name="Full length, full reward"/> He nearly took the final wicket as a ball shaved the stumps. Despite Malinga's lethal spell, however, South Africa proceeded to win the match by 1 wicket with 10 balls still left.<ref>{{cite web|first=Rahul|last=Bhattacharya|title=If only the stumps had hair|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/if-only-the-stumps-had-hair-287702|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 March 2007|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235724/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/if-only-the-stumps-had-hair-287702|url-status=live}}</ref> He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo for the 2007 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/and-the-winners-are-292881|title=And the winners are ...|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 April 2007|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203002742/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/and-the-winners-are-292881|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], Malinga took his second career hat-trick in Sri Lanka's group stage match against [[Kenya national cricket team|Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Malinga makes hat-trick history|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2011/3/1/malinga-makes-hat-trick-history|website=[[Aljazeera.com]]|date=1 March 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200749/https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2011/3/1/malinga-makes-hat-trick-history|url-status=live}}</ref> This made him the first bowler to take two World Cup hat-tricks, and the fourth to take two hat-tricks in all One Day International cricket (alongside [[Wasim Akram]], [[Saqlain Mushtaq]] and [[Chaminda Vaas]]). He was named as part of the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The team of the tournament|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/world-cup-2011-the-team-of-the-tournament-509646|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=5 April 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203124341/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/world-cup-2011-the-team-of-the-tournament-509646|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2011, he managed yet another hat-trick, against Australia, to become the first man to take three hat-tricks in ODI cricket.

For his performances in 2011, he was named as 12th man in the World ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-awards-2011-ms-dhoni-leads-odi-team-of-the-year-532149|title=Dhoni leads ODI team of the year|date=12 September 2011|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205033603/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-awards-2011-ms-dhoni-leads-odi-team-of-the-year-532149|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also named in the World ODI XI by the ICC for 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/179021|title=Clarke takes top honours at LG ICC Awards 2013|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]|date=13 December 2012|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=19 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819211934/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/179021|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also named in the World ODI XI by the ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/review2011/content/story/547545.html|last=McGlashan|first=Andrew|title=The teams of the year|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=1 January 2012|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235725/https://www.espncricinfo.com/review2011/content/story/547545.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:T20 final 2009.jpg|thumb| Malinga bowling in the ICC World Twenty20 Finals, 2009]]
He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo for the 2009 T20I World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-top-crop-410204|last=Binoy|first=George|title=The top crop|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 June 2009|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235730/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-top-crop-410204|url-status=live}}</ref> His spell of 5 for 28 against Australia was voted to be the second-best ODI bowling performance of the year 2011 by ESPNcricinfo voters.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 February 2012 |title=ESPNcricinfo Awards 2011: Readers pick Indians and Pakistanis |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2011/content/story/553451.html |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215062711/https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2011/content/story/553451.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His spell of 5 for 31 at Pallekele against England was voted as the best T20I bowling performance of the year 2012 by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2012/content/story/603047.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|last=Hopps|first=David|title=The wild and the swinging|date=11 March 2013|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235725/https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2012/content/story/603047.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Injury===
After [[West Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015–16|West Indies tour]], Malinga suffered a back injury and a knee injury. Because of this, he did not participate in both the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2015–16|New Zealand tour]] and the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 2015–16|Indian tour]], hoping that he would recover for the beginning of the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beinsports.com/en/root/news/mathews-unsure-when-malinga-will-return-1/207990|title=Mathews unsure over Malinga injury|publisher=In Sports|date=28 February 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203015740/https://www.beinsports.com/en/root/news/mathews-unsure-when-malinga-will-return-1/207990|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga was appointed as the captain for the [[2016 Asia Cup]], where he was only able to play against UAE, with a match-winning bowling performance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/asia-cup-t20-lasith-malinga-hits-the-bulls-eye-despite-injury-concerns-310629-2016-02-25|title=Lasith Malinga hits the bull's-eye despite injury concerns|work=India today|date=26 February 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/asia-cup-t20-lasith-malinga-hits-the-bulls-eye-despite-injury-concerns-310629-2016-02-25|url-status=live}}</ref> The knee injury caused him to skip the remaining matches and Sri Lanka lost them all. Sri Lanka announced their World T20 team with Malinga as the captain, but continuous injuries resulted in Malinga stepping down from the captaincy and [[Angelo Mathews]] was named the captain in all formats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/mathews-replaces-injury-plagued-malinga-as-skipper-for-world-t20-116030800501_1.html|title=Mathews replaces 'injury-plagued' Malinga as skipper for World T20|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=8 March 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235719/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/mathews-replaces-injury-plagued-malinga-as-skipper-for-world-t20-116030800501_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though Sri Lanka felt that Malinga would recover for the World cup matches, his injuries ruled him out of the Twenty20 squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/cricket-world-sri-lanka-malinga/sri-lankas-malinga-ruled-out-of-world-t20-due-to-knee-injury-idINKCN0WK14T|title=Sri Lanka's Malinga ruled out of World T20 due to knee injury|work=[[Reuters]]|date=18 March 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235719/https://www.reuters.com/article/cricket-world-sri-lanka-malinga/sri-lankas-malinga-ruled-out-of-world-t20-due-to-knee-injury-idINKCN0WK14T|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/knee-injury-forces-lasith-malinga-to-return-home-984837|title=Knee injury forces Lasith Malinga to return home|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 March 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235736/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/knee-injury-forces-lasith-malinga-to-return-home-984837|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned home due to a prevailing bone bruise on his left knee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/t20-worldcup-2016/injured-malinga-to-fly-home/article8370983.ece|title=Injured Malinga to fly home|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 March 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235721/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/t20-worldcup-2016/injured-malinga-to-fly-home/article8370983.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/ICC-World-T20/news/27117/10209410/sri-lankas-lasith-malinga-ruled-out-of-world-twenty20|last=Vinnell|first=Paul|title=Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga ruled out of World Twenty20|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=18 March 2016|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://www.skysports.com/cricket/ICC-World-T20/news/27117/10209410/sri-lankas-lasith-malinga-ruled-out-of-world-twenty20|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Captaincy===
Malinga was named as the vice-captain of the Sri Lankan Twenty20 International team in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/mathews-takes-sri-lankas-t20-captain/32025|title=Mathews takes over as Sri Lanka's T20 captain|publisher=Wisden India|date=24 October 2012|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016130436/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/mathews-takes-sri-lankas-t20-captain/32025|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He became captain of [[Sri Lankan Cricket Team]] in [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]] after [[Dinesh Chandimal]] received a ban. He successfully led the team to win the world cup. Due to continuous injuries, he stepped down from the captaincy in 2015.

His spell of 5 for 56 against Pakistan at Mirpur in 2014 was named as the best ODI Bowling Performance of the year by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Older, slower, still deadly|work=ESPNcricinfo|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2014/content/story/823815.html|last=Krishnaswamy|first=Karthik|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203002748/https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2014/content/story/823815.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also nominated for his spell of 5 for 52 against the same opponents in the group stage game.<ref>{{cite web|title=The all-pace all-stars|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2014/content/story/819265.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203002744/https://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2014/content/story/819265.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, in 2016 against India, he was appointed as the ODI captain due to injuries to permanent captain. Sri Lanka lost the match in that game.

On 14 December 2018, Malinga was appointed as the limited over captain for [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2018–19|New Zealand tour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-lead-odi-and-t20i-squads-in-new-zealand-1168765|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga to lead ODI and T20I squads in New Zealand|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=14 December 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235719/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-lead-odi-and-t20i-squads-in-new-zealand-1168765|url-status=live}}</ref>

===International comeback===
Malinga quit from all domestic and international cricket for a one-year after his T20I match against UAE in March 2016. Due to these injuries, Malinga lost matches against [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England and Ireland in 2016|England]], [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2016|Australia]], and [[2016–17 Zimbabwe Tri-Series|Zimbabwe Tri-series]], where Sri Lanka involved heavy defeats in limited over cricket and went down in international rankings. Though he recovered from injuries in late December, Malinga was unavailable to [[Sri Lankan cricket team in South Africa in 2016–17|South Africa series]] after a bout of [[dengue]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2022|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-unavailable-for-sa-t20is-and-odis-1076774|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga unavailable for SA T20Is and ODIs|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=9 January 2017|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235731/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-unavailable-for-sa-t20is-and-odis-1076774|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga was picked up to the Australian tour and played in the match against Prime Minister's XI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-picked-for-t20is-in-australia-1081648|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Lasith Malinga picked for T20Is in Australia|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=9 February 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001236/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-picked-for-t20is-in-australia-1081648|url-status=live}}</ref> His comeback match came [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2016–17|against Australia]] on 17 February 2017, where he took two wickets and two catches. Sri Lanka won the match by 5 wickets at the end.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/aus-v-sl-2016-17-1001319/australia-vs-sri-lanka-1st-t20i-1001349/match-preview|last=Coverdale|first=Brydon|title=Malinga set for return against new-look Australia|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=16 February 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001243/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/aus-v-sl-2016-17-1001319/australia-vs-sri-lanka-1st-t20i-1001349/match-preview|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 April 2017, during the second T20I against Bangladesh, Malinga took a [[List of Twenty20 International cricket hat-tricks|hat-trick]], becoming the second Sri Lankan and fifth overall to take a T20I hat-trick. With that, Malinga has taken 4 international hat-tricks, which is most by a Sri Lankan player and joint highest with Pakistani [[Wasim Akram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/plays-of-the-day-how-lasith-malinga-s-slower-dippers-sucker-punched-bangladesh-1090766|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=How Malinga's slower dippers sucker-punched Bangladesh|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 April 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235730/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/plays-of-the-day-how-lasith-malinga-s-slower-dippers-sucker-punched-bangladesh-1090766|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malinga was included to the ODI squad for [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy]] in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-in-sri-lanka-squad-for-champions-trophy-1094332|title=Malinga in SL squad for Champions Trophy|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=24 April 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203002747/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-in-sri-lanka-squad-for-champions-trophy-1094332|url-status=live}}</ref> He played his comeback match against South Africa on 3 June 2017 at the pool match of Champions Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-s-fitness-in-focus-for-sri-lanka-1095716|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga's fitness in focus for Sri Lanka|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235726/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-s-fitness-in-focus-for-sri-lanka-1095716|url-status=live}}</ref> However, his comeback was not good at all, where he finished the spell wicket less by giving 57 runs and put down a catch and was sloppy in the fielding as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andrew-mcglashan-as-lasith-malinga-s-body-grows-weary-opponents-remain-wary-1101031|last=McGlashan|first=Andrew|title=As Malinga's body grows weary, opponents remain wary|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=3 June 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235725/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andrew-mcglashan-as-lasith-malinga-s-body-grows-weary-opponents-remain-wary-1101031|url-status=live}}</ref> Sri Lanka suffered a heavy loss in the match by 96 runs finally.

During the Indian ODI series, captain [[Upul Tharanga]] was suspended two ODIs due to slow over rate. Therefore, [[Chamara Kapugedera]] was appointed as the stand-in captain of those two ODIs. However, he aggravated a back injury during the third ODI and ruled out of the series. For the fourth ODI, Malinga was appointed stand-in captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/chamara-kapugedera-ruled-out-of-series-lasith-malinga-to-lead-1118196|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Kapugedera ruled out of series; Malinga to lead|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 August 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001230/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/chamara-kapugedera-ruled-out-of-series-lasith-malinga-to-lead-1118196|url-status=live}}</ref> In the match, Malinga took his 300th ODI wicket by dismissing [[Virat Kohli]]. Despite his milestone, India scored 375 runs and Sri Lanka only managed to score 207 runs and lost the series 4–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-2017/lasith-malinga-completes-300-odi-wickets-after-dismissing-virat-kohli/story-uJFvFSZdEffyXyTGMnH7JO.html|title=Lasith Malinga completes 300 ODI wickets after dismissing Virat Kohli|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=31 August 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831140549/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-2017/lasith-malinga-completes-300-odi-wickets-after-dismissing-virat-kohli/story-uJFvFSZdEffyXyTGMnH7JO.html|url-status=live}}</ref> India won the fifth match of the series and whitewash Sri Lanka for the second consecutive time in a 5-match series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-laments-lost-generation-after-another-sl-loss-to-india-1118999|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga laments 'lost generation' after another SL loss to India|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=31 August 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001231/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-laments-lost-generation-after-another-sl-loss-to-india-1118999|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since his comeback, Malinga was not fully effective with the ball and also with the fielding. However, he did not announce an immediate retirement and said he wanted to play international cricket for Sri Lanka until [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/defiant-lasith-malinga-not-ready-to-walk-away-yet-1118594|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Defiant Malinga not ready to walk away yet|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 August 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235739/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/defiant-lasith-malinga-not-ready-to-walk-away-yet-1118594|url-status=live}}</ref> Since his return, Malinga averaging 62.30 for each of his 10 wickets, and going at six an over, Due to his ineffective bowling, Malinga was omitted from the ODI squad for [[Sri Lankan cricket team against Pakistan in the UAE in 2017–18|2017–18 Pakistan series]] in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-omitted-from-odis-against-pakistan-due-to-poor-form-1122966|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga omitted from ODIs against Pakistan due to poor form|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 October 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235740/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-omitted-from-odis-against-pakistan-due-to-poor-form-1122966|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to his continuous injuries, he was not considered for the selection by the Sri Lankan cricket team in [[2018 Nidahas Trophy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Malinga-named-IPL-champions-Mumbai-Indians-bowling-mentor-145423.html|title=Mumbai Indians to receive the services from their star bowler Malinga this 2018 IPL as a mentor|work=[[Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)|Daily Mirror]]|date=7 February 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235733/https://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Malinga-named-IPL-champions-Mumbai-Indians-bowling-mentor-145423.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the series, Sri Lanka suffered heavy losses against Bangladesh and omitted from the final as well. He was left out from team selection process in late 2017 when the sports ministry directly intervened into Sri Lanka cricket by introducing the minimum fitness standards. Malinga challenged the then sports minister [[Dayasiri Jayasekara]] regarding his exclusion from the team for lack of fitness levels and in retaliation Dayasiri used his authoritarian powers to sack Malinga from being selected to the national team for over a year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clementine|first=Rex|title=Lasith Malinga – there's never been one like him and there may never be|url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/lasith-malinga-theres-never-been-one-like-him-and-there-may-never-be-7065931.html|access-date=2 December 2022|website=[[Firstpost]]|date=27 July 2019|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200739/https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/lasith-malinga-theres-never-been-one-like-him-and-there-may-never-be-7065931.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sri Lanka Cricket informed Malinga to play in the domestic competition and then he will selected for the upcoming international tours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-asked-to-play-domestic-games-for-national-recall-1145080|last=Balasuriya|first=Madushka|title=Malinga asked to play domestic games for national recall|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 May 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001233/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-asked-to-play-domestic-games-for-national-recall-1145080|url-status=live}}</ref> But, due to coaching responsibilities in Mumbai Indians, Malinga also missed [[2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-misses-domestic-one-dayer-for-ipl-duties-1145121|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga misses domestic one-dayer for IPL duties|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 May 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235728/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-misses-domestic-one-dayer-for-ipl-duties-1145121|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Malinga announced that he hope to join international squad for the [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|South African limited over tour]] in Sri Lanka 2018. But he was not picked for both ODIs and T20Is.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-snubbed-for-one-off-t20i-1154751|title=Malinga snubbed as SL announce T20I squad|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 August 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001238/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-snubbed-for-one-off-t20i-1154751|url-status=live}}</ref>

He however continued to work on his fitness and bowling with his mentor Anusha Ramanayake and following an impressive domestic season he was subsequently recalled to the national team for the [[2018 Asia Cup]]. Malinga was included in the squad for 2018 Asia Cup as the premium fast bowler with [[Suranga Lakmal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-recalled-for-asia-cup-1158043|title=Lasith Malinga recalled for Asia Cup|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=1 September 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001241/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-recalled-for-asia-cup-1158043|url-status=live}}</ref> He played the opening game of the series with Bangladesh and took two wickets in the first over of the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-glimpse-of-the-old-slinga-malinga-1159557|last=Kishore|first=Shashank|title=A glimpse of the old Slinga Malinga|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 September 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235733/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-glimpse-of-the-old-slinga-malinga-1159557|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the spell with 4 wickets for just 23 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2018-1153237/bangladesh-vs-sri-lanka-1st-match-group-b-1153243/match-report|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Mushfiqur stars in 137-run rout of Sri Lanka|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 September 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001225/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/asia-cup-2018-1153237/bangladesh-vs-sri-lanka-1st-match-group-b-1153243/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 October 2018 [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018-19|against England]] in the second ODI of the series, Malinga took his 8th five-wicket haul. Four wickets of them were slow dipping yorkers, which credited as his best strength in the career. He finished five wickets for 44 runs, despite Sri Lanka lost the match by 31 runs in D/L method.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nearing-the-end-lasith-malinga-rouses-himself-for-final-world-cup-push-1162281|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Nearing the end, Lasith Malinga rouses himself for final World Cup push|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 October 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001226/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nearing-the-end-lasith-malinga-rouses-himself-for-final-world-cup-push-1162281|url-status=live}}</ref> During the match, he also completed 500 international wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/eng-in-sl-2018-19-1140375/sri-lanka-vs-england-2nd-odi-1140380/match-report|title=New-ball bowlers deliver England DLS win after Lasith Malinga five-for|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 October 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001228/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/eng-in-sl-2018-19-1140375/sri-lanka-vs-england-2nd-odi-1140380/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/104526/lasith-malinga-england-cricket-team-sri-lanka-five-wicket-haul|title=Malinga five-fer keeps England down to 278/9|work=[[Cricbuzz]]|date=13 October 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=13 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172223/https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/104526/lasith-malinga-england-cricket-team-sri-lanka-five-wicket-haul|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Late ODI career===
During South African series in early 2019, under the captaincy of Malinga, Sri Lanka suffered another big loss. They lost the ODI series 5–0, which was the second time they lost 5–0 to South Africa away.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-in-sa-2018-19-1144142/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-5th-odi-1144171/match-report|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=South Africa complete 5-0 sweep after DLS win|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=16 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025071834/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-in-sa-2018-19-1144142/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-5th-odi-1144171/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref> In the T20I series, Sri Lanka suffered a 3–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-in-sa-2018-19-1144142/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-t20i-1144174/match-report|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=SA complete 3-0 sweep after big DLS win|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=24 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024083905/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-in-sa-2018-19-1144142/south-africa-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-t20i-1144174/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="As a 18 years old net bowler who I faced in Galle 2002 to the champion who's going to work out today for your last ODI game u have been true to your self. Champion a team mate and above all a good friend you have done Sri Lanka proud. Enjoy every moment MALI!!!"|source=[[Mahela Jayawardene]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/reactions-there-won-t-be-another-toe-crusher-like-malinga-1195880|title='There won't be another toe crusher like Malinga'|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=27 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001234/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/reactions-there-won-t-be-another-toe-crusher-like-malinga-1195880|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

During South African series, Malinga said that the [[2019 ICC Cricket World Cup]] would feature his final ODI appearance and [[2020 ICC T20 World Cup]] would be his last international appearance for Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-retire-after-2020-t20-world-cup-1178716|title=Lasith Malinga to retire after 2020 T20 World Cup|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=23 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235726/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-retire-after-2020-t20-world-cup-1178716|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2019, he was named in [[2019 Cricket World Cup squads#Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka's squad]] for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lahiru-thirimanne-milinda-siriwardana-jeffrey-vandersay-picked-in-sri-lanka-s-world-cup-squad-1181293|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Thirimanne, Siriwardana, Vandersay picked in World Cup squad|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 April 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102083659/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lahiru-thirimanne-milinda-siriwardana-jeffrey-vandersay-picked-in-sri-lanka-s-world-cup-squad-1181293|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360|title=Jeevan Mendis, Siriwardana, Vandersay make comebacks in Sri Lanka World Cup squad|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]|date=18 April 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418090954/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 June 2019, in the match against [[England cricket team|England]], Malinga took his 50th wicket in a World Cup match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/icc-cricket-world-cup/lasith-malinga-50-wickets-world-cup-2019-sri-lanka-england/article28102425.ece|title=Malinga becomes second Sri Lankan to pick 50 wickets in World Cup|work=Sport Star|date=21 June 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519165646/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/icc-cricket-world-cup/lasith-malinga-50-wickets-world-cup-2019-sri-lanka-england/article28102425.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He became the quickest to achieve the milestone with 26 innings in World Cups.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket-world-cup/lasith-malinga-england-vs-sri-lanka-stats-records-5793905/|title=Lasith Malinga breaks record for fewest matches to 50 World Cup wickets|work=The Indian Express|date=22 June 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622121206/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket-world-cup/lasith-malinga-england-vs-sri-lanka-stats-records-5793905/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sri Lanka won their fourth consecutive World Cup match against England, and Malinga won the man of the match award for his match winning bowling spells.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-1144415/england-vs-sri-lanka-27th-match-1144509/match-report|last=Muthu|first=Deivarayan|title=Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews star as Sri Lanka stun England|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=21 June 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028063734/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-1144415/england-vs-sri-lanka-27th-match-1144509/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the tournament as the leading wicket taker for Sri Lanka, with thirteen dismissals in seven matches as the third-highest wicket taker of all time in World Cups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12357;team=8;type=tournament|title=ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019 - Sri Lanka: Batting and bowling averages|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124024755/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12357;team=8;type=tournament|url-status=live}}</ref>

===ODI retirement===
On 26 July 2019, he played his final ODI at [[R Premadasa Stadium]] in [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2019#1st ODI|first ODI against Bangladesh]]<ref name="International Cricket Council"/> inside a packed house with banners citing '''''ThankYou Mali''''', '''''Our Slinga Our Pride'''''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/i-want-our-young-bowlers-to-be-match-winners-malinga-1195846|title=I want our young bowlers to be match-winners - Malinga|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001244/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/i-want-our-young-bowlers-to-be-match-winners-malinga-1195846|url-status=live}}</ref> In the match he scored 6 runs unbeaten. With the ball, he delivered a yorker spell to dismiss [[Tamim Iqbal]] and [[Soumya Sarkar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/proof-that-lasith-malinga-s-still-got-it-1195830|title=Proof that Lasith Malinga's still got it|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235737/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/proof-that-lasith-malinga-s-still-got-it-1195830|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/when-colombo-swooned-to-a-lasith-malinga-time-loop-1195878|last=Balasuriya|first=Madushka|title=When Colombo swooned to a Malinga time loop|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=27 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235737/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/when-colombo-swooned-to-a-lasith-malinga-time-loop-1195878|url-status=live}}</ref> In the end, in his final over in ODIs, he took the wicket of [[Mustafizur Rahman]] to surpass [[Anil Kumble]] to become the [[List of One Day International cricket records#Most wickets|ninth-highest wicket taker in ODIs]] finishing with 338 dismissals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-lasith-malinga-odi-retirement-1574005-2019-07-26|title=Right time for me to retire from ODIs: Lasith Malinga bids adieu to 50-over Cricket|work=[[India Today]]|date=27 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726174406/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-lasith-malinga-odi-retirement-1574005-2019-07-26|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sri-lanka-s-lasith-malinga-retires-from-odi-cricket/story-J68qWkquIIGHzxNY6raJFN.html|title=Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga retires from ODI cricket|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=27 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726173948/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sri-lanka-s-lasith-malinga-retires-from-odi-cricket/story-J68qWkquIIGHzxNY6raJFN.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Post ODI retirement===
Malinga was named as the captain for T20I series [[New Zealand cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2019|against New Zealand]], which composed of many young cricketers. During the first T20I, he surpassed [[Shahid Afridi]]'s wicket tally of 98 to become the highest wicket taker in Twenty20 Internationals. He took two wickets in the match, though Sri Lanka lost the match. In the second T20I, he went to wicket less 39 runs and New Zealand won the match and sealed the series. In the third T20I, Sri Lanka scored a modest score of 125 runs. In the match, Malinga delivered a match winning bowling spell. With the wicket of [[Colin Munro]], Malinga became the first cricketer to take 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals, as well as the first ever cricketer to take 100 wickets in all three formats of the game. In the course with wickets of [[Hamish Rutherford]] and [[Colin de Grandhomme]], he completed his fifth [[hat-trick]], second in T20Is as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-s-fifth-hat-trick-and-100-t20i-wickets-1199859|last=Seervi|first=Bharath|title=Malinga's fifth hat-trick and 100 T20I wickets|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 April 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001239/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-s-fifth-hat-trick-and-100-t20i-wickets-1199859|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the only cricketer to have two take [[List of Twenty20 International cricket hat-tricks|T20I hat-tricks]] and five international hat-tricks (three in ODIs and 2 in T20Is).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/just-keeps-getting-better-and-better-reactions-to-lasith-malinga-s-four-in-four-1199863|title='Just keeps getting better and better' - Reactions to Lasith Malinga's four-in-four|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235732/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/just-keeps-getting-better-and-better-reactions-to-lasith-malinga-s-four-in-four-1199863|url-status=live}}</ref> He then took the wicket of [[Ross Taylor]] to become the world's only bowler to take two four-in-four, where his first four-in-four came in 2007 World Cup against South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/four-in-four-how-lasith-malinga-managed-the-incredible-again-1199847|title=Four in four - how Lasith Malinga managed the incredible, again|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235732/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/four-in-four-how-lasith-malinga-managed-the-incredible-again-1199847|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga finished his spell with 5 for 6 runs, and Sri Lanka won the match by 37 runs. He won the man of the match award for impressive bowling performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-in-sri-lanka-2019-1192868/sri-lanka-vs-new-zealand-3rd-t20i-1192877/match-report|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga's hat-trick in magical 5 for 6 bamboozles New Zealand|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022105437/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-in-sri-lanka-2019-1192868/sri-lanka-vs-new-zealand-3rd-t20i-1192877/match-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

He created a [[YouTube]] account titled ‘’Master The Game’’ in 2020 and he uploaded videos related to cricket match analysis in Sinhala language with Hindi and English languages.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 May 2021|title=Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga's YouTube channel become an Instant Hit!|url=https://www.cricketage.in/2021/05/27/sri-lanka-legend-lasith-malingas-youtube-channel-become-an-instant-hit/|website=Cricket Age|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829220801/https://www.cricketage.in/2021/05/27/sri-lanka-legend-lasith-malingas-youtube-channel-become-an-instant-hit/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, Malinga was nominated for the ICC Men's ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Decade awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/virat-kohli-kane-williamson-steven-smith-joe-root-nominated-for-icc-mens-cricketer-of-the-decade-award-1239940|title=Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steven Smith, Joe Root nominated for ICC men's cricketer of the decade award|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=25 November 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326033821/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/virat-kohli-kane-williamson-steven-smith-joe-root-nominated-for-icc-mens-cricketer-of-the-decade-award-1239940|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1908769|title=ICC Awards of the Decade announced|publisher=International Cricket Council|date=25 November 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326033820/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1908769|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga retired from all forms of cricket on 14 September 2021, ending his career as the leading wicket taker in T20Is with 107 wickets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga: Sri Lanka great, the most prolific bowler in men's T20 internationals, retires from cricket|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12349/12407916/lasith-malinga-sri-lanka-great-the-most-prolific-bowler-in-mens-t20-internationals-retires-from-cricket|date=14 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|website=[[Sky Sports]]|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200740/https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12349/12407916/lasith-malinga-sri-lanka-great-the-most-prolific-bowler-in-mens-t20-internationals-retires-from-cricket|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka great Malinga retires|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58561268|date=14 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202165152/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58561268|url-status=live}}</ref> He announced his retirement through his official YouTube channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=*Special Announcement. While my shoes will rest my love for the game will never rest|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCYYRu4R5I|date=14 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=10 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510111908/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCYYRu4R5I|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga announces T20 retirement, Sri Lanka cricket, Mumbai Indians|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/119041/lasith-malinga-announces-t20-retirement-sri-lanka-cricket-mumbai-indians-cricbuzzcom|website=Cricbuzz|date=14 September 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200744/https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/119041/lasith-malinga-announces-t20-retirement-sri-lanka-cricket-mumbai-indians-cricbuzzcom|url-status=live}}</ref>

==T20 franchise career==
[[File:Lasinga Malinga MI.jpg|thumb|Malinga in practice for the [[Mumbai Indians]].]]
On 20 January 2021, Lasith Malinga retired from T20 franchise cricket.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/115829/lasith-malinga-retires-from-franchise-cricket|title=Lasith Malinga retires from franchise cricket|work=[[Cricbuzz]]|date=20 January 2021|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200750/https://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/115829/lasith-malinga-retires-from-franchise-cricket|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Indian Premier League===
Malinga has played for [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) team [[Mumbai Indians]] since 2008. He became their leading bowler in this format and leading bowler in the competition in terms of wickets taken. Sachin Tendulkar, the ex-Mumbai Indians captain, described Malinga as an important cog in the Indians' game plan after the retirement of captain Shaun Pollock, who represented the team in the first season. In the first match for the [[Mumbai Indians]] in the fourth season, he got 5 wickets against [[Delhi Daredevils]], restricting them to a mere 95. His best bowling figures ever is 6/7 for [[Melbourne Stars]] against [[Perth Scorchers]] in December 2012, the only [[List of Big Bash League five-wicket hauls|six-wicket haul]] taken the Australian [[Big Bash League]]. Malinga was also one of the overseas players to represent Kent Spitfires in the English T20 competition in 2007. Kent went on to win the tournament beating Gloucestershire with Malinga playing a key part throughout the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/big-bash-league-2015-16/engine/records/bowling/list_5wi.html?id=158;type=trophy|title=Big Bash League / Records / List of five-wickets-in-an-innings|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216232042/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/big-bash-league-2015-16/engine/records/bowling/list_5wi.html?id=158;type=trophy|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performances in 2010, 2011 and 2014, he was named in the ESPNcricinfo IPL XI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ipl-xi-457382|title=The IPL XI|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 April 2010|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235741/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ipl-xi-457382|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Moonda |first=Firdose |date=30 May 2011 |title=The IPL XI |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/indian-premier-league-2011-the-ipl-xi-517150 |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203085834/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/indian-premier-league-2011-the-ipl-xi-517150 |url-status=live }}</ref> He won the Purple Cap award (most wickets) in the fourth season of [[Indian Premier League]] with 28 scalps in 16 matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl/ipl-2011-who-wins-what-1570532|title=IPL 2011: Who wins what|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=29 May 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235727/https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl/ipl-2011-who-wins-what-1570532|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the tournament, he led the Mumbai Indians attack from the front and was instrumental in many victories.

Lasith Malinga chose [[Mumbai Indians]] over [[Southern Express T20|Southern Express]] in the [[Champions League Twenty20|CLT20]] cricket tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lasith Malinga Chooses Mumbai Indians Over Southern Express in CLT20|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/malinga-to-play-for-mumbai-indians-at-clt20-765299|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 July 2014|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/malinga-to-play-for-mumbai-indians-at-clt20-765299|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2011 Champions League Twenty20]], he was the highest wicket taker in the tournament and won the golden wicket for this performance and won the award for the player of the tournament. Malinga also hit a lot of runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/champions-league-twenty20-2011/engine/match/521348.html|title=Final: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians at Chennai, Oct 9, 2011. Cricket Scorecard|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=9 October 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711042410/http://www.espncricinfo.com/champions-league-twenty20-2011/engine/match/521348.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performances in 2011, he was named in the ESPNcricinfo CLT20 XI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-champions-league-xi-535911|last=Purohit|first=Abhishek|title=The Champions League XI|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=10 October 2011|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235733/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-champions-league-xi-535911|url-status=live}}</ref> He picked up his 100th IPL wicket of his career during the [[2013 Indian Premier League]] in a league stage match against Kings XI Punjab and became the first ever bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in IPL history.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 May 2013|title=IPL 2013: Lasith Malinga first bowler to reach 100-wicket mark|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ipl-2013-lasith-malinga-first-bowler-to-reach-100-wicket-mark-26592|website=Cricket Country|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829202242/https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ipl-2013-lasith-malinga-first-bowler-to-reach-100-wicket-mark-26592|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of IPL, he was also named in the all-time ESPNcricinfo IPL XI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ab-de-villiers-misses-spot-in-espncricinfo-s-all-time-ipl-xi-1098519|title=AB de Villiers misses out on ESPNcricinfo's all-time IPL XI|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=20 May 2017|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203001238/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ab-de-villiers-misses-spot-in-espncricinfo-s-all-time-ipl-xi-1098519|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[List of 2018 Indian Premier League personnel changes|2018 IPL Auctions]], Malinga was not bought by Mumbai Indians due to his ineffective bowling in the recent past. However, on 7 February 2018, Malinga was named bowling mentor of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2018. He has played 127 games for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and Champions League T20 and is the highest-wicket taker for the franchise with 179 scalps at an economy rate of 6.88. In 2019 he was again bought by the [[Mumbai Indians]].<ref name="ESPN Inc">{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mumbai-indians-appoint-malinga-as-bowling-mentor-1135883|title=Mumbai Indians appoint Malinga as bowling mentor|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=7 February 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200832/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mumbai-indians-appoint-malinga-as-bowling-mentor-1135883|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2018, he was re-bought by the [[Mumbai Indians]] in the [[List of 2019 Indian Premier League personnel changes|player auction]] for the [[2019 Indian Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2019-auction-the-list-of-sold-and-unsold-players-1166896|title=IPL 2019 auction: The list of sold and unsold players|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=27 November 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218224600/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25390461/ipl-2019-auction-was-sold-whom|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-auction-2019-who-got-whom/articleshow/67144375.cms|title=IPL 2019 Auction: Who got whom|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 December 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218230123/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-auction-2019-who-got-whom/articleshow/67144375.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 22 March 2019, he ruled himself out of at least the first six IPL matches for Mumbai Indians in 2019. This was due to the fact that in order to qualify for the Sri Lanka World Cup squad, Sri Lanka's selectors told him that he must play in the forthcoming Super Provincial One Day domestic tournament to get qualify for the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-miss-mumbai-indians-first-six-ipl-matches-1178669|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Malinga to miss Mumbai Indians' first six IPL matches|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235728/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-to-miss-mumbai-indians-first-six-ipl-matches-1178669|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on 25 March 2019, SLC soften the decision and make him available for the [[IPL 2019]]. The decision was taken after BCCI asked Sri Lanka Cricket to make Malinga available for as much of the tournament as possible. He returned to Sri Lanka to feature in the Super Provincial One-Day Tournament before rejoining Mumbai after 10 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/slc-softens-stance-lasith-malinga-likely-to-be-available-for-mumbai-indians-next-two-games-1178927|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=SLC softens stance, Lasith Malinga likely to be available for Mumbai Indians' next two games|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=25 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235735/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/slc-softens-stance-lasith-malinga-likely-to-be-available-for-mumbai-indians-next-two-games-1178927|url-status=live}}</ref> Malinga was available for Mumbai Indians through the entirety of April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-made-available-to-mumbai-indians-after-slc-change-of-heart-1179021|title=Lasith Malinga made available to Mumbai Indians after SLC change of heart|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235729/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-made-available-to-mumbai-indians-after-slc-change-of-heart-1179021|url-status=live}}</ref> He contributed to the fourth title win for Mumbai Indians with a wicket on the last ball in the [[2019 Indian Premier League final|final]] where 2 runs where required thus giving Mumbai a win by 1 run.<ref>{{cite web|title=That heart-stopping final over!|url=https://www.iplt20.com/video/191541/that-heart-stopping-final-over-?tagNames=indian-premier-league&references=CRICKET_PLAYER:211,CRICKET_TEAM:6|website=Indian Premier League|date=12 May 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200738/https://www.iplt20.com/video/191541/that-heart-stopping-final-over-?tagNames=indian-premier-league&references=CRICKET_PLAYER:211,CRICKET_TEAM:6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IPL 2019: Lasith Malinga recalls last-over nerves after MI win record 4th title|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/mi-vs-csk-ipl-2019-final-lasith-malinga-jasprit-bumrah-kieron-pollard-interviews-1523420-2019-05-12|last=Sen|first=Rohan|date=13 May 2019|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200737/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/sports/story/mi-vs-csk-ipl-2019-final-lasith-malinga-jasprit-bumrah-kieron-pollard-interviews-1523420-2019-05-13|url-status=live}}</ref>

He also holds a unique distinction of picking up 10 wickets in two different formats across 2 nations within a space of 24 hours which he achieved it in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga Takes 10 Wickets Across 2 Countries Within 24 Hours|last=Lahiri|first=Dipankar|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2019/lasith-malinga-takes-10-wickets-across-2-countries-within-24-hours-2018096|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=4 April 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200746/https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2019/lasith-malinga-takes-10-wickets-across-2-countries-within-24-hours-2018096|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Martin|title=Two countries, 15 hours, 10 wickets|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/lasith-malinga-mumbai-indians-galle-sri-lanka-domestic-10-wickets-two-countries-world-cup/2019-04-05|publisher=[[Cricket Australia]]|date=5 April 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200739/https://www.cricket.com.au/news/lasith-malinga-mumbai-indians-galle-sri-lanka-domestic-10-wickets-two-countries-world-cup/2019-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 April 2019, he featured in an IPL match as part of the [[2019 Indian Premier League]] playing for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings and picked up 3/34 in the match which progressed up until midnight Indian time. The very next day, he took a flight early morning to reach Kandy in order to play in a domestic List A match as part of the Sri Lanka Super Four Provincial Limited Over Tournament representing Galle for which he was named as the captain.<ref>{{cite web|title=From Mumbai to Kandy: Malinga goes from IPL to domestic tournament in a day, claims career-best 7/49|url=https://scroll.in/field/918990/from-mumbai-to-kandy-malinga-goes-from-ipl-to-domestic-tournament-in-a-day-claims-career-best-7-49|website=[[Scroll.in]]|date=4 April 2019|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200737/https://scroll.in/field/918990/from-mumbai-to-kandy-malinga-goes-from-ipl-to-domestic-tournament-in-a-day-claims-career-best-7-49|url-status=live}}</ref> He subsequently went onto record his career best bowling figures in List A cricket by capturing 7/49 for Galle in that match and recorded 10/83 within a single day in two different matches in two separate nations.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 April 2019|title=Lasith Malinga collects 10/83 across two games in two days|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1168171|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404174541/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1168171|url-status=live}}</ref>

He pulled out from participating in the [[2020 Indian Premier League]] for personal reasons and [[James Pattinson]] was named as his replacement for the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga set to miss initial part of IPL in UAE|last=Gollapudi|first=Nagraj|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2020-lasith-malinga-set-to-miss-initial-part-for-mumbai-indians-1230058|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=21 August 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829200828/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2020-lasith-malinga-set-to-miss-initial-part-for-mumbai-indians-1230058|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lasith Malinga opts out of IPL 2020 for personal reasons|last=Muthu|first=Deivarayan|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-s-lasith-malinga-opts-out-of-ipl-2020-for-personal-reasons-1231132|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 September 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=6 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106215717/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-s-lasith-malinga-opts-out-of-ipl-2020-for-personal-reasons-1231132|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Global T20 Canada===
In May 2018, he was named as one of the ten marquee players for the [[2018 Global T20 Canada|first edition]] of the [[Global T20 Canada]] cricket tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/steven-smith-named-as-marquee-player-for-canada-t20-tournament-1147584|last=Penna|first=Peter Della|title=Steven Smith named as marquee player for Canada T20 tournament|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=24 May 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617221902/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1147584.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/steve-smith-named-as-marquee-player-in-canadian-t20-tournament-1857274|last=Rao|first=Santosh|title=Steve Smith named as marquee player for Global T20 Canada|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=24 May 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235722/https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/steve-smith-named-as-marquee-player-in-canadian-t20-tournament-1857274|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 June 2018, he was selected to play for the Montreal Tigers in the players' draft for the inaugural edition of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/global-t20-canada-league-full-squads-announced/|last=Anand|first=Nikhil|title=Global T20 Canada League – Full Squads announced|work=CricTracker|date=4 June 2018|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616153450/https://www.crictracker.com/global-t20-canada-league-full-squads-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament for the Montreal Tigers, with thirteen dismissals in six matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12456;team=6539;type=tournament|title=Global T20 Canada 2018, Montreal Tigers: Batting and Bowling Averages|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235730/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12456;team=6539;type=tournament|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Lanka Premier League===
In October 2020, he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators for the [[2020 Lanka Premier League|inaugural edition]] of the [[Lanka Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Fernando |first=Andrew Fidel |date=19 October 2020 |title=Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-and-shahid-afridi-among-big-names-taken-in-lpl-draft-1236545 |access-date=2 December 2022 |work=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124183839/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-and-shahid-afridi-among-big-names-taken-in-lpl-draft-1236545 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he pulled out from the 2020 Lanka Premier League citing lack of match practice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga pull out of LPL|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lpl-2020-chris-gayle-and-lasith-malinga-pull-out-1239594|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=19 November 2020|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004170828/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lpl-2020-chris-gayle-and-lasith-malinga-pull-out-1239594|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he received criticism from fans for not featuring in LPL and accused him of lack of patriotism.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bhatnagar|first=Rahul|date=24 November 2020|title=Lasith Malinga reacts to criticism for opting out of LPL 2020: The world knows what I have done for my country|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/lasith-malinga-reacts-to-criticism-for-opting-out-of-lpl-2020-lanka-premier-league-1743731-2020-11-24|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=10 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510113410/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/lasith-malinga-reacts-to-criticism-for-opting-out-of-lpl-2020-lanka-premier-league-1743731-2020-11-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Style==
[[File:T20 final 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Malinga bowling against Pakistan in the final of the [[2009 ICC World Twenty20]] at [[Lord's]]]]
Malinga's action has attracted great comment. The cricket reference text [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] has noted that Malinga's delivery action is similar to "slinging", resulting to his nickname "Slinga Malinga". Malinga has said that his unique round-arm bowling action was a result of learning to play cricket exclusively with a [[tennis ball]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title='It makes me sad that I can't play Tests anymore'|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-it-makes-me-sad-that-i-can-t-play-tests-anymore-589364|magazine=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 November 2012|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202235736/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lasith-malinga-it-makes-me-sad-that-i-can-t-play-tests-anymore-589364|url-status=live}}</ref>
Typically, younger bowlers are encouraged to deliver the ball with their arm near vertical to remove or reduce direction variables.

Sir [[Viv Richards]] admired Lasith Malinga's impressive bowling during the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] which was held in the Caribbean, saying that Lasith Malinga is the best thing that happened to [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lankan cricket]] after [[Aravinda de Silva]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Rex|last=Clementine|title=Malinga and the Indians|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=57447|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)|The Island]]|publisher=[[Upali Newspapers]]|location=Colombo|date=22 July 2012|access-date=12 September 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152729/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=57447|archivedate=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Records==
*First bowler to take 100 T20I wickets.
*First bowler to take 100 wickets across all three formats of international cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is).
*The first and, to date, only bowler to take three hat-tricks in One-Day International cricket.<ref name=hat-tricks/>
*Best bowling figures by any bowler in the men's [[Big Bash]] T20 league - 6/7 for [[Melbourne Stars]] against [[Perth Scorchers]].

==Coaching career==
In February 2018, he was appointed as the bowling mentor for the [[Mumbai Indians]] team though [[Shane Bond]] served as the bowling coach for the side in [[2018 Indian Premier League|2018 IPL]] season.<ref name="ESPN Inc"/> Mumbai Indians franchise revealed that Malinga would provide supportive role as a mentor and would be part of the coaching staff ahead of the 2018 IPL season. Prior to the decision made by the Mumbai Indians, Malinga was released from the Mumbai Indians team for the 2018 IPL auction due to his poor bowling performances at the [[2017 Indian Premier League|2017 IPL]] season.

In 2022, he took on the role of fast bowling coach for the [[Rajasthan Royals]]. He also maintained a coaching role for the MI Cape Town and MI New York franchise through the SA20 and ILT20 seasons in 2022.<ref name="mumbaiindians.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.mumbaiindians.com/news/mumbai-indians-announce-mi-legend-lasith-malinga-as-bowling-coach | title=Mumbai Indians announce MI Legend Lasith Malinga as Bowling Coach | date=20 October 2023 | access-date=21 October 2023 | archive-date=4 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104111344/https://www.mumbaiindians.com/news/mumbai-indians-announce-mi-legend-lasith-malinga-as-bowling-coach | url-status=live }}</ref>

Subsequently, he was appointed as the bowling coach for Mumbai Indians in 2023 for the 2024 IPL season.<ref name="mumbaiindians.com"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Instagram|lasithmalinga_official}}
*{{Facebook|Official.Lasith.Malinga}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/@LasithMalinga99 Lasith Malinga] on [[YouTube]]
*[https://x.com/malinga_ninety9 Lasith Malinga] on [[Twitter|X.com]]
*[https://www.tiktok.com/@malinga_ninety9 Lasith Malinga] on [[TikTok|Tiktok.com]]

{{Sri Lanka ODI Cricket Captains}}
{{Sri Lanka T20I Cricket Captains}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Sri Lanka Squads
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{{Sri Lanka Squad 2004 Asia Cup}}
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{{Sri Lanka Squad 2011 Cricket World Cup}}
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{{Bowlers who have taken 300 wickets in ODI}}
{{Mumbai Indians squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malinga, Lasith}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of Mahinda College]]
[[Category:Alumni of Vidyaloka College]]
[[Category:Basnahira cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2007 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2011 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 2015 Cricket World Cup]]
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[[Category:Galle Cricket Club cricketers]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Melbourne Stars cricketers]]
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[[Category:One Day International hat-trick takers]]
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