Sri Lanka’s ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga wreaked havoc in Colombo with a career-best seven-wicket haul against Zimbabwe to lead his side to an easy win in the rain-hit encounter to seal the series. Hasaranga broke Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of best bowling figures for a Sri Lankan spinner in ODIs. The 26-year-old took seven wickets for just 19 runs in 5.5 overs to bowl out Zimbabwe for 96. Muralitharan had taken seven wickets for 30 runs against India in Sharjah in 2000.
Hasaranga's 5 for 19 is also the fifth-best bowling figures in ODI cricket history. The top spot is occupied by Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas who took eight wickets for 19 runs against Zimbabwe in Colombo in 2021. For a spinner, the record belongs to former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi with seven wickets for 12 runs against West Indies in 2013.
Hasaranga returned to international cricket after six months. He underwent hamstring surgery which ruled him out of ODI World Cup 2023 in India. His last international appearance was against the Netherlands in July 2023.
Hasaranga was introduced into the attack in the ninth over after the game was reduced to 43 overs per side due to rain interruption. He broke the opening partnership with the wicket of Takudzwanashe Kaitano. In his next over, he got the wicket of the other opener Joylord Gumbie. He capped off the over with the wicket of skipper Craig Ervine. After another rain interruption, Hasaranga bowled a wicket maiden. Milton Shumba became his fourth victim of the evening.
After a short break, he was brought back into the attack by skipper Kusal Mendis. Hasaranga completed his fifer with the wicket of Clive Madande. In the 23rd over, Hasaranga struck off consecutive deliveries to dismiss the tailenders and bowl out Zimbabwe for 96. Hasranga bowled 5.5 overs including one maiden, conceded 19 runs and took seven wickets.
In the run chase of 97, Avishka Fernando was dismissed for a four-ball duck. Mendis scored quickly and won the game for his side with an unbeaten 51-ball 66 featuring nine fours and one six. Sri Lanka won the game by eight wickets with 10.2 overs to spare. They also won the three-ODI series 2-0 as first match was abandoned due to rain.
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