Sri Lanka and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga achieved a rare feat – becoming the first spinner in the history of ODI cricket to pick up five-wicket hauls in three successive matches. Hasaranga, who is Virat Kohli’s teammate in RCB, equalled a 33-year-old record set by former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis – who also picked up three successive five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.


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With Hasaranga’s remarkable performance of 5-wicket hauls, Sri Lanka bundled out Ireland at 192 to secure the Super Six spot after defeating Ireland by 133 runs in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers match in Bulawayo on Sunday. Hasaranga matched the legendary Pakistani bowler Waqar Younis after taking 5-wicket hauls in three consecutive ODIs. In three outings, Hasaranga has bowling figures of 6/24, 5/13 and 5/79. Whereas Waqar Younis achieved his record with 5/11, 5/16, and 5/52.


Coming to the match, Ireland put SL to bat first. SL scored 325 in their innings. Century from Karunaratne and knocks from Sadeera Samarawickrama (82 in 86 balls, with four boundaries), and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 in 35 balls, with four boundaries and a six) helped the one-time champions to a big total. Mark Adair (4/46) and Barry McCarthy (3/56) were among the best bowlers for Ireland.



In the chase of 326 runs, Ireland was never a threat to Sri Lanka. They were reduced to 86/5 at one point. Harry Tector (33 in 35 balls) and Curtis Campher (39 in 31 balls) provided last hope to Ireland but their dismissals by the 20-over mark left the Men in Green on the verge of a massive defeat. Ireland’s tail took the aggressive route but could not survive the guile of Hasaranga who finished with 5/79. Besides that, Maheesh Theekshana also took 2/29.


Ireland was bundled out for just 192 in 31 overs. Karunaratne earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his ton. With this result, Sri Lanka make it to the Super Six stage of the Qualifier while Ireland are out of the World Cup race. One-time champions are at the top with three wins in three matches and a total of six points. On the other hand, Ireland is yet to win a game, have lost all of their three matches. They are at fourth position.