Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar lauded Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj's spell during the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 17 (Sunday). Akhtar summed up Siraj's spell in just three words, two of which described the Indian pacer's efforts precisely. The 'Rawalpindi Express' took to X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, "That's destruction & annihilation".
Siraj stole the limelight with an extraordinary new-ball performance that left the Sri Lankan team floundering. This remarkable spell effectively ended the contest even before the fourth over was up. Recollecting his game-changing performance, the 29-year-old termed it as a 'dream'. Siraj's magic spell, now touted as one of the finest in cricketing history, culminated in an astounding 6/21 in just seven overs, inclusive of a maiden. For every cricket enthusiast, Siraj's spell will remain a standout memory from this year's Asia Cup.
"Feels like a dream. Last time I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, couldn't get the five-for. Realised you get what's in your destiny," Siraj told the host broadcaster, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive," he added.
Siraj started with a confident maiden over, and in a whirlwind display of skill, he took down four batsmen in the very next over. By his third over, he had claimed his fifth wicket, pushing Sri Lanka to a precarious position of 12/6 within just 5.4 overs.
In a mere 16 balls during the final clash, Siraj secured five critical wickets. This left the audience at R Premadasa Stadium, as well as global TV viewers, astounded. Recognizing the pacer's hot streak, skipper Rohit Sharma gave him an extended run. Living up to expectations, Siraj returned in the 12th over to shatter Kusal Mendis' wicket.
Siraj finished the Asia Cup campaign with 10 wickets in five matches.
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