Former Sri Lanka opening batter Lahiru Thirimanne has annouced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

Thirimanne took to facebook to announce his retirement,

“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country for past few years. This game that has given me so much over the years. But with a lot of mixed feelings,I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with an immediate effect”, Thirimanne wrote in his official Facebook page.

“As a player I have given my best, I have tried my best,I have respected the game and I have done my duty honestly and ethically to my motherland.
It was a difficult decision to make, but I cannot mention here the many unexpected reasons that influenced me to take this decision willingly or unwillingly”, he further added.

“I take this opportunity to thank the SLC members,my coaches,teammates, physios, trainers and analysts for their support and encouragement.
And my fans, supporters, journalists for all the love, support and motivation you have given me over these years. I am forever grateful to you all”, he said.

“Thank you to all of you who have supported me behind the scenes throughout my career”.

An unflappable young talent with a killer cover drive, Lahiru Thirimanne came to the international landscape highly regarded by Sri Lanka’s cricket elite, with Aravinda de Silva most notably among his champions. An opener by reputation, Thirimanne made his debut in early 2010 and earnt sporadic places in the national side over the next two years, but it was not until he was moved to the middle order in 2012 that he unearthed the consistency that would make him a regular at the top level.

A measured batsman, if at times a limited one, Thirimanne has been a contrasting ally for Sri Lanka’s middle-order dashers in ODI cricket, striking particularly memorable partnerships with Angelo Mathews to lift Sri Lanka out of trouble.

Thirimanne has played 42 Tests in a decade-long international career. He has scored 3 centuries and 10 half centuries to his name.

He has also scored 4 centuries in his 127 appearances in the ODI format and interestingly all against the great Aussies.

Thirimanne who was compared to Mahela Jayawardena in his early days but due to certain issues he was in an out from the team though he was a regular member in the test side.

For a man who has spent pretty much every moment of his time in Sri Lankan whites under the dual weights of pressure and expectation, we at Sri Lanka sports tv congratulate the stylish left hander a bright future.