Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan crossed the magical 500-wicket mark in one-day international cricket. He became the second bowler in One-day history to reach this mile stone next to Wasim Akram of pakisthan .

Muralitharan, already the world’s leading Test wicket-taker, said that he was happy to collect his 500th wicket in one-dayers in Sri Lanka’s crushing 234-run victory over Pakistan in the ODI series final in front of a packed Gaddafi Stadium.

Muralitharan, 36, bowled just 1.5 overs in the match but finished with 2 for 2 to complete 500 wickets in one-dayers. He scalped tail-enders Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Sohail Khan and is now just three wickets away from breaking former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram’s record of 502 wickets in one-day internationals.

The veteran spinner is already the world’s top wicket-taker in Test cricket with 769 in 125 Tests. He made his one-day debut against India in 1993, and has 10 times taken five wickets in a match in a 323-match career.

“It would be nice but for me and for the team, milestones are not important then winning matches,” he said.

Murali said he had set no targets after becoming the first bowler to capture 500 wickets in both forms of the game.

“No targets for me. I play to win and if the milestones come along it is good and I feel proud as a Sri Lankan. But I don`t look at targets,” he said.

The champion off-spinner said he was enjoying every moment of the game and would want to continue playing till the 2011 World Cup.

Muralitharan also warned Indian batsmen of a tough challenge when they visit Sri Lanka next week.