Sri Lankan domestic cricket stalwart Malinda Pushpakumara has etched his name into the history books by achieving a rare and remarkable milestone. The left-arm spinner has completed 1,000 wickets in first-class cricket, becoming only the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to reach this extraordinary feat.

Pushpakumara reached the landmark while playing at the Colts Cricket Club Ground, where he began the match with 998 wickets. He completed the milestone by dismissing Sohan de Livera and Pasindu Suriyabandara of Moors Sports Club, triggering celebrations across Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket circuit.

Fourth Sri Lankan to Join the Elite Club

With this achievement, Pushpakumara becomes:

• The 4th Sri Lankan cricketer to take 1,000 first-class wickets

• The 218th player worldwide to reach the milestone

The other Sri Lankan bowlers in this elite list are:

• Muttiah Muralitharan – 1,374 wickets

• Rangana Herath – 1,080 wickets

• Dinuka Hettiarachchi – 1,001 wickets

Now, Pushpakumara proudly joins this legendary group.

Outstanding Numbers That Set Him Apart

What makes Malinda Pushpakumara’s record even more special is his exceptional efficiency. Among Sri Lankan bowlers with 1,000 first-class wickets, he boasts the best strike rate.

• Strike rate: 38.3 balls per wicket

• Bowling average: 20.06

For comparison:

• Muttiah Muralitharan’s strike rate: 48.7

• Dinuka Hettiarachchi’s strike rate: 46.4

Across his career, Pushpakumara has:

• Taken five wickets in an innings 86 times

• Claimed 10 wickets in a match on 28 occasions

These numbers underline his ability to dominate matches single-handedly.

Limited International Opportunities

Despite his incredible domestic record, Pushpakumara had limited chances at the international level. He played just four Test matches for Sri Lanka, picking up 14 wickets. In ODIs, he featured in two matches, taking one wicket.

His career stands as a reminder of how competitive international selection can be, even for outstanding performers in domestic cricket.

A Historic 10-Wicket Haul

One of the most memorable moments of Pushpakumara’s career came in January 2019, when he produced a sensational spell against Saracens Sports Club. The left-arm spinner took 10 wickets for just 37 runs in a single innings, bowling 18.4 consecutive overs.

That performance also marked his crossing of the 700-wicket milestone in first-class cricket at the time.

A Giant of Domestic Cricket

Malinda Pushpakumara’s journey is a celebration of perseverance, skill, and dominance in domestic cricket. Reaching 1,000 first-class wickets places him among the greatest match-winners the game has seen at this level, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of spinners in Sri Lanka.