Sri Lankan bowling all-rounder Thisara Perera has announced his retirement from International Cricket with immediate effect. He made his decision public on Monday (May 03). According to Sri Lankan cricket board media release, the all-rounder believes this is the right time to “step aside and pave the way for younger and more talented players”. The media release also stated that this is the “right time for him to follow on his personal goals and family life”.
“I take pride in the fact that I was able to represent Sri Lanka in seven cricket world cups and be a contributing member of the 2014 T20 World Cup win against India in Bangladesh. Easily the highlight of My Life,’’ Thisara Perera mentioned in his letter to Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
“Thisara was a brilliant all-rounder, who has contributed immensely as a player to Sri Lanka Cricket and played a part in some of the glorious cricketing moments of the country,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC.
The 32-year old all-rounder had represented Sri Lanka in 256 International games across all three formats since his debut in the year 2009. He amassed 3,745 runs including a century and picked up 175 wickets including 4 five-wicket hauls (all in the ODI format). Perera also led the side in 9 International games (3 ODIs, 9 T20Is) during the 2017-2018 and it has to be one of the highlights of his playing career.
On the other hand, Perera also contributed with the bat in the World T20 2014 Final against India taking Sri Lanka to their maiden World T20 title. During this innings, he remained unbeaten on 23* off 14 balls including 3 sixes guiding Sri Lanka to victory in the 18th over. The same has also been mentioned as the best moment of his life by the all-rounder. Perera scored a brisk unbeaten 9-ball 22* in the ODI World Cup 2011 Final against India but unfortunately he ended up on the losing side.
Thisara Perera made his International debut against India in an ODI match in the year 2009. Meanwhile, he last represented Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series in West Indies – 3 T20Is & 2 ODIs. It has to be noted that Perera has only retired from International cricket and would be available for the domestic cricket or T20 leagues around the world. At the age of 32, he would surely get more chances in T20 leagues around the world that he got in the International side in the recent past!
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