Sri Lanka (Common Wealth) _ Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s premier leg-spinner, made history on Sunday during their match against Ireland in the ongoing Cricket World Cup Qualifiers competition in Zimbabwe. He became only the second bowler in ODI history to record three straight fifers (five-wicket hauls).
Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by a 133-run margin, therefore ending Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the 50-over World Cup.Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by a 133-run margin, effectively ending Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the 50-over Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in India later this year.When Ireland put Sri Lanka in to bat, they scored 325 runs in 50 overs, owing to Dimuth Karunaratne’s maiden century (his third consecutive 50+ score in the tournament).
Ireland, who needed a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, were swept out for 192 runs in 31 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga once again devastated Ireland’s batting with a five-wicket haul (10-0-79-5). After only three matches in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign, he has 16 wickets to his name. In doing so, he equaled the record set by Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis, who was the only bowler before to Hasaranga to have three straight five-wicket hauls in ODIs.
Waqar Younis accomplished the same feat in 1990, with three five-wicket hauls against New Zealand and the West Indies. He had 5/11 and 5/16 against the New Zealanders, and 5/52 against the West Indies.
Sri Lanka has qualified for the Super Six stage. So far, Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Zimbabwe are the only teams with a perfect record of three wins in three matches. Sri Lanka will now meet Scotland on June 27 in a critical match that will determine which team advances to the Super Six stage with two more crucial points.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s 5/79 figures are also the second-most expensive for a bowler with 5 wicket haul after England’s Adil Rashid. Sri Lanka’s easy victory also means that Scotland and Oman have joined the Asia Cup holders in advancing from Group B to the World Cup 2023.
