ICC salutes Spin Legend Muttiah Muralitharan

ICC president salutes Muttiah Muralitharan

Sharad Pawar: ‘Murali’s achievements for Sri Lanka will inspire a new generation of young cricketers’

ICC President Sharad Pawar has today paid tribute to Sri Lanka spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, who will play his final Test match when Sri Lanka face India at Galle starting tomorrow (July 18).

‘Murali’ will begin his final Test match on a record 792 Test wickets and Mr Pawar said: ‘I am sure there will be cricket lovers all over the world who will hope that Muttiah Muralitharan breaks the 800 Test wicket barrier.

Muttiah Muralitharan

‘He has enjoyed a remarkably successful career and I am sure that while we will all be sad to see him leave the Test Match arena, the pinnacle of international cricket, that his achievements will inspire a new generation of young cricketers . In this format he has re-written the history book and created a mark that will be difficult to surpass. He is a true legend of our great sport.

‘Murali, a modest man, has also been an excellent role model and great ambassador throughout his career – playing the game with not only great skill but also great spirit.

‘His record is truly astonishing for not only does he have 792 Test match wickets but he also has 512 wickets in One-Day International cricket. We are all thrilled that he will continue his one-day career until the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, to be held in India, Bangladesh and, of course, his home country of Sri Lanka.’

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