Legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has retired from T20 cricket after playing in 295 matches, picking up 390 wickets. He also confirmed retirement from all forms of cricket.

Malinga, had already retired from Test cricket in 2011 and from ODIs in 2019. The Sri Lanka pacer had also announced his retirement from all franchise cricket in January, and remains the highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League with 170 wickets, all for Mumbai Indians.

The pacer was the first bowler to take 100 T20I wickets and finished with 107 wickets for Sri Lanka in the shortest format. He was the captain when the country won its maiden T20 World Cup title by defeating India in the 2014 final.

"Today is a very special day for me. I want to thank each one of you who have supported me throughout my T20 career. Today I have decided to give 100 per cent rest to my T20 bowling shoes," he said in a video on his YouTube channel. 

"I want to thank Sri Lanka cricket board, Mumbai Indians, Melbourne Stars, Kent Cricket Club, Rangpur Riders, Guyana Warriors, Maratha Warriors and Montreal Tigers. I now want to share my experience with young cricketers who want to play franchise cricket and for their national team.

"While my shoes rest, my love for the game will never ask for rest. Looking forward to seeing our youngsters make history."

Malinga is the only bowler to take two T20I hat-tricks and five overall in international cricket. He scalped 546 wickets at the highest level across formats and will be remembered as one of the greatest white-ball performers of all-time.