Herath left Wasim Akram behind in terms of most Test wickets by any left arm bowler.
Rangana Herath, en route to Sri Lanka's three-day win over Bangladesh in the second Test in Mirpur, reached a much deserving milestone. The veteran spinner took 4-49 to surpass Pakistan legend Wasim Akram (414 Test wickets) as the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history, with 415 wickets.
Sri Lanka's dominating performance won them the series by 1-0. Not only Herath, but off-spinner Akila Dananjaya also took 5-24, the best figures for a Sri Lankan on debut as Bangladesh, needing an unlikely 339 to win, crumbled for 123.
While a legend reached a huge feat, another legend congratulated him on Twitter. Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, "Outstanding effort to become the highest left-arm wicket taking bowler. Congratulations, @HerathRSL!".
Outstanding effort to become the highest left-arm wicket taking bowler. Congratulations, @HerathRSL! pic.twitter.com/VMy5YOXLOj
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 10, 2018
Suresh Raina also wished the Sri Lankan spinner for the achievement. "Left" everyone behind and spun his way to greatness. Well done, champion! @HerathRSL @OfficialSLC".
"Left" everyone behind and spun his way to greatness. Well done, champion! @HerathRSL @OfficialSLC
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) February 10, 2018
Raina has been picked for the South Africa T20I series. Herath, in reply, thanked the left-handed batsman and wished him good luck for his comeback series.
Thanks Suresh, all the best to you in South Africa
— Rangana Herath (@HerathRSL) February 10, 2018
Making his Test debut in 1999 against Australia, Herath overtook Akram (414 wickets), Daniel Vettori (362 wickets), Chaminda Vaas (355 wickets) and Mitchell Johnson (313 wickets).