Here are the records held by Lasith Malinga in T20Is
What's the story
Lasith Malinga is undoubtedly one of the greatest pacers ever produced by Sri Lanka. He has dominated across formats and had earlier called time on his prolific career in Tests and ODIs. However, he continues to deliver his valuable services in the T20Is, as he claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand on Friday. Meanwhile, here are the records held by him in the format.
Double hat-trick
Only bowler to claim double hat-trick in ODIs and T20Is
It's a rare feat for a bowler to claim a double hat-trick in the game, i.e. dismissing four batsmen in four consecutive deliveries. Nonetheless, Malinga is the only bowler to do it, and that too on two occasions. Incidentally, both have come in the limited-overs format. He had earlier registered the feat during the 2007 ICC World Cup encounter against South Africa in Guyana.
Data
Most hat-tricks in international cricket
Malinga holds the record to claim most hat-tricks in the circuit. To date, he has claimed five hat-tricks, all coming in the limited-overs format, three in ODIs and two in T20Is.
Five-for skipper
3rd T20I skipper with a five-wicket haul
While taking a five-wicket haul as a bowler in any format might be relatively easy, it is an uphill task as a skipper. Nonetheless, Malinga (5/6) became the third skipper in the format to claim a hat-trick. While Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan claimed 5/21 in 2018, Jersey's Charles Perchard claimed 5/17 this year.
Fifers
Most fifers in T20 cricket
While he may rock by claiming a five-for in T20Is as skipper, he also holds another unique record in the format. The veteran has claimed the most five-wicket hauls in T20 cricket. To date, he has claimed five fifers, as he has broken the previous record of four, held by David Wiese of South Africa and Shakib.
Twitter Post
First bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets
Lasith Malinga also became the first bowler to take 100 wickets in T20Is.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) September 6, 2019
Five hat-tricks v five different opponents—v South Africa (2007), Kenya (2011), Australia (2012) — in ODIs (2 in World Cups)
v Bangladesh (2014)
v New Zealand (2019) — in T20Is#SLvNZ