RIYADH, 14 May 2004 — The Sri Lankan expatriate community in the Kingdom has praised the world class achievement of off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who set a new world record for the highest number of Test wickets. Muralitharan, 32, dismissed batsman Mpulelo Nkala in the first Test between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in Harare on Saturday, taking his tally of Test wickets to a record 521.
Retired West Indian pacer Courtney Walsh previously held the record with 519 Test wickets. Both the president and the prime minister of the island congratulated Muralitharan in messages issued on Sunday. "His courage and determination facing the challenges and adversities in his cricketing career has been admirable," President Chandrika Kumaratunga said referring to controversies over his bowling. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said: "Cricket is one factor which has brought honor and recognition for Sri Lanka. We consider Murali's contribution most valuable."
"The secret to his potency is a super-flexible wrist that releases the ball like a spinning top and guarantees him spin on any surface," said the Sri Lankan Ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar and added that his achievement is the country's accomplishment in the field of sports. The Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) based in Riyadh sent a congratulatory message to Murali who has brought name and fame to the island that became the World Champions in cricket in 1996. "His remarkable achievement has brought pride and glory to Sri Lanka in International Test Cricket," President of SLES Conrad De Lima told Arab News.
"This is a unique achievement by Murali," observed Andrew Sinnen Country Manager for Trico International in the Kingdom. He added that Murali, an unorthodox spinner developed his bowling techniques on his own." He is a self-made bowler who has come to the forefront on his own persistent efforts," Sinnen added. "We are all excited over his record and his bowling is a real feast to all cricket lovers," said Rohan Burah, president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society in Jeddah. He added that Lankans are proud that a Sri Lankan has topped in at least one sport.
After A.J.M. Lafir became the world's billiard champion, this was the second global feather added to Sri Lanka sportsman's cap, observed Burah. "Murali is the most successful spinner in the game, and the greatest player in Sri Lanka's history, " said Nihal Gamage, a prominent member of the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh, adding that he bowls long spells, yet is forever on the attack.
Abdul Sattar Illyas from the SAMBA Financial Group said every good batsman always fears a spin bowler but one dreads Murali who sends six different balls in a over.
Rodney Benedict from the Saudi British Bank said Murali who averages nearly six wickets per Test, should be given all possible cooperation by the Sri Lankan Board of Cricket should he be in a spot for his innovative 'Doosra' that torments batsmen.
