On March 28, 2007, something incredible happened in the world of cricket. That day, Lasith Malinga, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous fast bowlers, pulled off a feat that would go down in history. The 2007 ODI World Cup was underway, and Malinga was about to make headlines. While cricket has seen its fair share of legendary bowlers over the years, very few can match what Malinga did on that day.
Eighteen years ago, he took everyone by surprise when he became the first player to bag four wickets in just four balls in international cricket. Picture the scene: the game against South Africa was intense, and Malinga suddenly turned things upside down. South Africa had the upper hand, looking good for a win, but Malinga had other plans. His spell was something straight out of a cricket fan’s dreams. South Africa might have scraped by with a one-wicket win, but Malinga’s performance was the talk of the town.
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At the Providence Stadium in Guyana, Sri Lanka batted first. Unfortunately, their top batsmen didn’t make much of a mark. But then, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold stepped in and changed the game a bit. Both managed to score half-centuries and helped Sri Lanka reach a total of 209 runs. It wasn’t a massive score, but it was enough to make things interesting.
As South Africa started their chase, their skipper Graeme Smith and all-rounder Jacques Kallis were looking solid and seemed set to take the game home. Fans were probably feeling pretty confident about their chances. But Malinga wasn’t about to let things slide. He was ready to put on a show when it was his turn to bowl to Makhaya Ntini. The crowd could feel the tension in the air. Malinga delivered a pinpoint yorker that clipped the stumps and sent Ntini back to the pavilion. The stadium erupted with joy as fans celebrated that magical moment.
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Even though South Africa managed to win the match, Malinga’s spell left a mark. His four wickets in four balls wasn’t just impressive; it sent a message to the Proteas that they had to watch out. It showed everyone why Malinga was deemed one of the toughest bowlers in the game, especially in the nail-biting moments at the end of matches.
Fast forward nearly 12 years later, and Malinga was back at it again. In 2019, he pulled off another four-wicket haul in just four balls, this time dismissing Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ross Taylor. It was like a reminder to everyone that the man still had magic in his bowling. Malinga’s legacy as a top bowler continues, showcasing why he’s considered one of the greats in cricket history.
