Sri Lanka Cricket will dedicate the 3rd ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to former international fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.
Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to invite Kulasekara for the third ODI series against Bangladesh at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Wednesday. After the match, he will be felicitated for his service to his country.
Kulasekara has announced his retirement after his former veteran Lasith Malinga who has set to quit from the international cricket. Malinga called it a day after the first game of the same series in which he took three wickets, including one in the final ball. Sri Lanka has won two ODI series after a huge defeat in the ODI World Cup 2019.
Nuwan Kulasekara made his ODI debut as a 21-year-old in a home series against England in 2003 and in 2005, he made his Test debut in Napier. Kulasekara played 184 ODIs for Sri Lanka and picked up a massive 199 wickets. The right-arm pacer played 58 T20Is and finished with 66 wickets. Kulasekara was part of the victory of Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2014.
Kulasekara was spotted as No.1 in ODI bowler’s ranking in the year 2008, after which he has made his World Cup debut for Sri Lanka. It was seen that Kulasekara was the most expensive bowler for Sri Lanka as he gave away 64 runs in just 8.2 overs.
“Nuwan Kulasekara has been a vital cog in the Lankan line-up and played exceptional cricket during his time with the national team. His contributions made on the field brought in a lot of success for the national team. I wish him the best going forward,” – President of SLC Shammi Silva said.
“He was an exemplary figure, both on and off the field and a role model, which the young cricketers can emulate. Simplicity and decency were a hallmark of Kulasekara’s cricketing career, which helped him both on and off the field,” – CEO of SLC Ashley De Silva said.
