Srinagar: In a major surprise and shock for Sri Lanka cricket, the bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has announced retirement from Test cricket to extend his limited-overs playing career.
Hasaranga, 26, made his Test debut in December 2020 against South Africa, and since then has featured in only four Tests.
His last Test was against Bangladesh at home, more than two years ago in April 2021.
Hasaranga informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of his decision to retire on Tuesday, 15 August and the board accepted it.
“We will accept his decision and are confident that Hasaranga will be a vital part of our white-ball program going forward,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Hasaranga has been Sri Lanka’s white-ball specialist since his ODI debut in 2017 and is a vital part of their limited-overs set-up.
The all-rounder has featured in 48 ODIs and 58 T20Is for his country, picking up a total of 158 wickets and scoring 1365 runs.
Recently, Hasaranga was pivotal to Sri Lanka qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 after they emerged victorious in the Qualifier at Zimbabwe, with Hasaranga finishing as the top wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 scalps.
Courtesy: ICC