Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed his 99th wicket during the first T20I against New Zealand on Sunday to become the highest wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game. However, the paceman not only did achieve a career milestone but also placed Sri Lanka on top of wicket-takers charts in all three formats of the sport.

Lasith Malinga, who is leading his side in the T20Is series surpassed former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi’s tally of 98 wickets. After Malinga’s feat, the record for most number of wickets in all three formats is now held in name of Sri Lanka cricketers.

While Malinga is the top T20I wicket-taker, former Sri Lanka bowler Muttiah Muralitharan sits on the top in ODI and Test formats.

The record for most number of wickets in ODIs has been held by Muttiah Muralitharan since 2009. The right-arm spinner who played his last 50-ball game in 2011 is leading the table with 534 wickets to his name. Second on the list is former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram, who trails the Sri Lankan by a vast margin with his 502 wickets.

Muralitharan, 47 is also the highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 769 scalps in 125 matches. Muralitharan is only the second bowler thus far to simultaneously hold the record for most Test and ODI wickets.

The last cricketer to have such distinction was former India captain Kapil Dev.

While Sri Lanka is ruling the bowling charts, the leading run scorers in the three-formats are Indians. Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar (15,921runs in Tests, 18426 runs in ODIs) is the leading run-getter in both Test and ODI cricket, whereas Rohit Sharma (2422 runs) is top scorer T20Is.

Source – India Today