Nuwan Kulasekara, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, will be felicitated during the third and final Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday.
“Sri Lanka Cricket will dedicate the 03rd ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on behalf of fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who announced his retirement from international cricket,” said SLC in a media release.
“SLC will invite the bowler to witness the 03rd ODI and will arrange a felicitation ceremony to honor Kulasekara for the yeomen services, he has rendered for Sri Lanka Cricket,” added the cricket board.
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Kulasekara made his ODI debut in 2003 as a 21-year-old in a home series against England. He ended up playing 184 ODIs with 199 wickets at an economy rate of 4.9. He played 58 T20Is and recorded 66 wickets.
Kulasekara was part of Sri Lanka’s victorious World T20 campaign in Bangladesh in 2014 and finishes his career with 313 international wickets from 263 appearances across ODIs, Tests and T20Is.
“Nuwan Kulasekara has been a vital cog in the Lankan lineup and played exceptional cricket during his time with the national team. His contributions made on the field brought in a lot of success for the national team. I wish him the best going forward,” said Shammi Silva, President of the SLC.
“He was an exemplary figure, both on and off the field and a role model, which the young cricketers can emulate. Simplicity and decency were a hallmark of Kulasekara’s cricketing career, which helped him both on and off the field,’’ said Mr. Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC.