Colombo, Jan 11, 9.30PM – Sri Lanka’s star leg spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, made a remarkable comeback after recovering from an injury in the rain-affected third and final 27-over match against Zimbabwe at R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday. Hasaranga, who rejoined the national side sixt months after knee surgery, delivered an outstanding performance, securing Sri Lanka’s second-best ODI bowling figures of all time. His fantastic figures of 7-19 helped limit Zimbabwe to just 96 runs.
This impressive achievement by Hasaranga now stands as Sri Lanka’s second-best ODI bowling performance, following Chaminda Vaas’ legendary 8-19 against the same opponent in 2001 at SSC grounds. Remarkably, Hasaranga becomes only the third Sri Lankan bowler to take seven or more wickets in an ODI, joining the ranks of Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan.
Due to rain interruptions, the match was shortened twice, finally being confined to a 27-over per side affair. In this restricted match, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 96 runs in 22.5 overs.
Opting to bat first before rain affected play, the visitors had a promising start with 43 runs without any loss in 8 overs. However, when play resumed, Zimbabwe struggled against the formidable Lankan attack, led by star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. His exceptional performance included taking wickets through lbws, clean bowling, and inducing miscued top edges, leaving Zimbabwe baffled and all out for 96.
Chief scores:
Zimbabwe: 96 all out in 22.5 overs (Joylord Gumbie 29, Takudzwanshe Kaitano 17, Luke Jongwe 14, Wellington Masakadza 11, Sikandar Raza 10, Wanindu Hasaranga 7-19, Maheesh Theekshana 1-15, Janith Liyanage 1-17, Dilshan Madushanka 1-31).
