Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan [Images] created history on Thursday, becoming the highest wicket-taker in one-day cricket. He eclipsed Pakistani pace legend Wasim Akram's world record of 502 one-day scalps.

The legendary off-spinner dismissed Indian opener Gautam Gambhir [Images] to become the most successful bowler in the history of the game, having already held the record of most Test wickets (769).

Muralitharan, who had equalled Akram's record in the previous match against India, took his 503rd wicket when Gambhir edged one to wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.
He has a mind-boggling 1272 wickets to his name in both forms of the game.

The 36-year-old spinner achieved the feat playing in his 328th match while Akram played 356 matches for his tally.

Muralitharan, who equalled the record in the last one-dayer at the same venue when he had dismissed Yuvraj Singh [Images], dedicated the achievement to his family and countrymen, saying without their support it wouldn't have been possible.

"When I was young everyone helped me -- from the captain, to the cricket board. I dedicate this feat to my family, my wife and to all the Sri Lankans. They stood by me in my good as well as bad times," he said.

Naming Viv Richards [Images] as his childhood idol, the 36-year-old spinner rued his luck, never getting to bowl to the West Indian batting legend.

"My childhood hero was Viv Richards. I always looked up to him, but I couldn't play with Richards although I played with greats like Kapil Dev [Images]," he said.

Muralitharan has taken five wickets in a Test innings on 66 occasions and collected 22 10-wicket match hauls but his career has been plagued by controversy because of his unusual bent-arm action which relies on a super-flexible and strong wrist.

Photograph: Buddhika Weerasinghe / Reuters