Lasith Malinga : " I grew up watching Wasim and Waqar "
Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga on Tuesday became the first man to take two World Cup hat-tricks and then declared that he honed his wicket-taking skills watching Pakistan greats Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Malinga, who took a World Cup hat-trick against South Afica in Georgetown, Guyana in 2007, picked up figures of 6-38 against Kenya at the R Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday. “I grew up watching how Wasim and Waqar used to bowl those yorkers and I learnt the art of wicket-taking through that,”he said.
Malinga, who took a World Cup hat-trick against South Afica in Georgetown, Guyana in 2007, picked up figures of 6-38 against Kenya at the R Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday. “I grew up watching how Wasim and Waqar used to bowl those yorkers and I learnt the art of wicket-taking through that,”he said.
Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis said on Wednesday they were honoured to hear that their devastating armoury of yorkers had inspired record-breaking Lasith Malinga.
"Malinga is intelligent, awkward and that's what makes him one of the most difficult bowlers to face."
Wasim, one of the greatest left-arm pacemen ever to play the game, said Malinga's round arm action adds beauty to his bowling.
"It's one of the spices of modern day cricket and I think with age on his side, his never-say-die attitude will take him to places in the years to come," said Wasim, who took 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets during his career.
Waqar, currently Pakistan's coach, praised Malinga as one of the best.
"He is one of the best bowlers in this tournament. The Kenyans were not the toughest side, but still he bowled straight every time with the yorkers, it was amazing," Waqar Younis said.
Waqar, remembered also for his toe-crushing yorkers, said it was pleasing to watch a bowler like Malinga.
"It reminds you of your own good days. As long as he doesn't do it against us I am happy," said Waqar of Malinga, who missed Pakistan's 11-run win over Sri Lanka, due to a back strain.
Waqar said Malinga's action helps him get the reverse swing.
"It is also pleasing to know that he has learnt by looking at me or Wasim, but I also think that his action is such that it suits reverse swing which is the key.
"Everybody knows how to do it (reverse swing) now, everybody knows how the ball goes, but not many people can do it. He has a unique action, has got a slingy action and that is why it's more effective."
