Sports News from Sri Lanka: In a devastating blitz against New Zealand in Kandy, Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga has sensationally taken four wickets in four balls to become the first bowler to claim five international hat-tricks.
Last week he celebrated his 36th birthday but Malinga did not show signs of slowing down, recording the exceptional numbers of 5-6 off four overs as Sri Lanka recorded a 37-run win over the wounded Kiwis in the dead rubber third T20I.
The crafty slinger, who hopes to be his global swansong for next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, now has two hat tricks in T20Is to go with his three in ODIs, with Wasim Akram having four hat tricks (two in Tests, two in ODIs).
Malinga became the first bowler to take twice in international cricket four wickets in four balls, having first achieved the rare feat of running through the tail of South Africa in a World Cup game in 2007.
The veteran was also the first guy to hit 100 T20I wickets.
