India's ace pacer Mohammed Siraj ran riot on Sri Lankan batters with his insane bowling in the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo on Sunday, September 17. The R Premadasa Stadium witnessed a unbelievable spell from India's fiery pacer Siraj as he unleashed havoc on the Lankan batting line-up, clinching a staggering four wickets within a mere five deliveries, leaving everyone stunned and in awe of his bowling prowess.
Having been put into the field first, Team India was in desperate need of an early breakthrough to assert their dominance. Mohammed Siraj answered the call, ensuring the Lankan top-order felt his wrath. His lethal onslaught began with the dismissal of Pathum Nissanka, who, attempting a drive, handed a straightforward low catch to Ravindra Jadeja at point.
Siraj's momentum was unstoppable. The next to fall was the in-form Sadeera Samarawickrama, who was adjudged leg-before-wicket without troubling the scorers. Charith Asalanka's day wasn't any better, as he offered a catch to Ishan Kishan off his very first ball. Dhananjaya de Silva managed to thwart the hat-trick delivery with a boundary, but Siraj had the last laugh, coaxing him into an edge on a cleverly bowled delivery, sending him back to the pavilion.
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With this Siraj equalled Sri Lanka's bowling great Lasith Malinga's record of snaring four wickets in one over. Malinga sent shivers down the spines of the South African team on March 28, in 2007 World Cup when he scalped four wickets in as many balls.
To cap off his remarkable spell, Siraj's magic continued, as he accomplished a five-wicket haul in just 15 balls. His next victim was none other than the Sri Lankan captain, Dasun Shanaka, who was sent packing for a paltry four-ball duck. Mohammed Siraj's exemplary performance has undeniably steered India into a position of strength, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the Asia Cup 2023 final.
The 29-year-old also equalled former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas for the quickest ODI five-for, reaching the feat in just 16 balls. Vaas achieved the milestone against Bangladesh in 2003.
Siraj also completed 50 ODI wickets during the spell, reaching the milestone in his 29th ODI, the joint-fourth-quickest among all Indian bowlers. In terms of balls bowled, Siraj (1002) is the second-fastest man to 50 ODI wickets behind Ajantha Mendis (847 balls).
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