30 March,2011 06:35 AM IST | | AFP
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara dedicated yesterday's five-wicket World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand to Muttiah Muralitharan who played his last home game before retirement.
Sangakkara said that when his team suffered a worrying wobble by losing four quick wickets chasing 218 to win, it was the thought of the 38-year-old playing in Saturday's final which drove them on.
"It was the last game for Murali in Sri Lanka and we really wanted to give him a good send-off," said Sangakkara of the off-spinner who will retire after the tournament.
"Murali is the icon of Sri Lanka, on the field, off the field, a fantastic human being and a great team man," added man-of-the-match Sangakkara.
But he added: "We haven't won anything yet, we have just reached the final."
