Asia Cup 2018: 5 best bowling performances of Lasith Malinga's ODI career

Lasith Malinga is one of the most feared bowlers of all-time. With his unorthodox bowling action, he can bowl yorkers at will and is one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers of all-time. Though he has been plagued by injuries, he is still one of the most important bowlers for Sri Lanka whenever he is healthy.

Malinga has featured in 204 ODIs for Sri Lanka and claimed 301 scalps with a bowling average of 28.92. He has 16 4-wicket hauls to his name and is the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to pick up 300 wickets in ODIs.

As Malinga looks to show his greatness in Asia Cup 2018, we look at 5 of the best bowling performances in his ODI career.

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#5 5/52 vs Pakistan, 2014

Malinga delivers to win the game for Sri Lanka

2014 Asia Cup was hosted by Bangladesh. In the first ODI of the tournament, Pakistan were up against Sri Lanka. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first. Thirimanne scored a brilliant century to lift them to 296.

When Pakistan came out to chase it down, Malinga ripped through the middle and lower-middle order to give a memorable win for Sri Lanka. Malinga got the very crucial wickets of skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq and Afridi to take the game away from Pakistan.

Sri Lanka started the series with a huge win, Malinga was awarded the Man of the Match for his 5/52. Sri Lanka also went on to win the tournament.

#4 5/34 vs Pakistan, 2010

Afridi's ton ended in a loss as Malinga picked up 5 wickets

In the first ODI of the 2010 Asia Cup at Dambulla, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. The hosts only scored 242, as Shoaib Akhtar rattled the Sri Lankan batsmen picking up 3 wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs.

In return, Malinga, just like he usually does, provided an early breakthrough sending back the opener Salman Butt to the pavilion for nought. Shahid Afridi made a blistering century and exploded with 109 off 76 deliveries, but wickets kept falling at the other end.

In the end, Malinga finished the game picking up Asif's wicket and added yet another 5-wicket haul to his name.

#3 5/30 vs Scotland, 2011

Malinga rattled Scotland with a fifer

After a heart-breaking loss in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Sri Lanka were in Scotland for a tri-series against the hosts and Ireland. In the third ODI, the hosts won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Sri Lanka scored 284-7 in 50 overs, on the back of Jayawardene's 64 and Karunaratne's 60. When Scotland came out to bat, Malinga destroyed the top order dismissing top 3 batsmen. The hosts were bundled out for just 101 runs, thanks to Malinga's heroics.

Malinga finished the game with 5 wickets for 30 runs. This was his third fifer in ODI cricket and with this win, Sri Lanka won the tri-series.

#2 5/28 vs Australia, 2011

Malinga struck early dismissing Watson

After winning the tri-series involving Ireland and Scotland, Sri Lanka hosted Australia for a 5-match ODI series. The visitors won the first two ODIs and the hosts were looking to make a comeback into the series.

In the third ODI, Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. The hosts went on to post 286 on the scoreboard, thanks to a century from Upul Tharanga. In return, Malinga struck early dismissing Watson for just 5 off 8.

Malinga finished with 5 wickets and conceded just 28 runs and Sri Lanka won the match, kept their series hopes alive.

#1 6/38 vs Kenya, 2011

Malinga destroyed the Kenya batting lineup

In the 14th match of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka were pitted against Kenya at Colombo in a day and night game. Kenya won the toss and chose to bat first. Malinga stuck in his first over trapping Seren Waters for LBW.

He then ripped through the batting lineup and finished the game with 6 wickets. This was the first instance Malinga picked up 6 wickets and remains his career-best performance to this day.

Sri Lanka came out to chase a mere 143 and chased it down without much difficulty with 9 wickets remaining. Malinga was awarded the Man of the Match for this match-winning performance.