Sri Lankan leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has credited his side’s fielding efforts in the opening ODI as they earned a 77-run win over Bangladesh on the back of some energetic fielding display.
Wanindu Hasaranga claimed four wickets for just 10 runs from 7.5 overs as he swung the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor which stunned Bangladesh in the first ODI held at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.Bangladesh were cruising along at 100/1 before a run out dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto.Thereafter, Wanindu Hasaranga stole the show as the Lankans defended their score of 244. Bangladesh managed 167.
Wanindu Hasaranga reaches milestone 100 wickets during the match vs Bangladesh as records galore
Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga has achieved a major milestone by becoming the second-fastest player from his country to complete 100 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The feat came during the first ODI of a three-match series against Bangladesh in Colombo on Wednesday. Wanindu Hasaranga’s achievement comes in 64 matches, just one more than Ajantha Mendis, who reached this milestone in 63 matches.
Wanindu Hasaranga, who received his maiden ODI cap in 2017, took just 64 matches to reach the 100-wicket mark.According to ESPNcricinfo, this is four matches less than the legendary Lasith Malinga, who is the next fastest Sri Lankan bowler to achieve this feat. Meanwhile, Mendis, who made his ODI debut in 2008, took his 100th wicket in 2013 against South Africa. No other Lankan bowler has completed 100 wickets inside 70 ODIs.
In the first ODI against Bangladesh, Wanindu Hasaranga started with 99 wickets and ended with impressive figures of 4/10 in 7.5 overs.
This was his fifth four-wicket haul in ODIs as three of his four ODI fifers came in successive games.Former Pakistan speedster Waqar Younis is the only other bowler with as many back-to-back fifers. Meanwhile, Mendis claimed seven four-fers and three five-wicket hauls in ODIs.
Wanindu Hasaranga ran past the Zimbabwe batting order with a terrific seven-wicket haul in the 2024 Colombo ODI. He finished with 7/19 from 5.5 overs, recording the second-best bowling figure by a Sri Lankan bowler in the format. Wanindu Hasaranga is only behind Chaminda Vaas’s 8/18 against Zimbabwe in 2001.Wanindu Hasaranga and Mendis are among the four SL bowlers to have claimed at least six wickets in an ODI on multiple occasions. Both spinners accomplished the feat twice. Akila Dananjaya and Vaas are other bowlers on this list.
Wanindu Hasaranga claimed four wickets for just 10 runs from 7.5 overs as he swung the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor which stunned Bangladesh in the first ODI held at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Bangladesh were cruising along at 100/1 before a run out dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto.Thereafter, Wanindu Hasaranga stole the show as the Lankans defended their score of 244.Bangladesh managed 167. Post his match winning performance, Wanindu Hasaranga whole heartedly appreciated the fielding efforts resulting in a Sri Lankan win.
Wanindu Hasaranga reserves a special praise for fielding effort
Bangladesh were comfortably batting at 100/1 while chasing 245, when debutant Milan Rathnayake’s throw from deep square leg ran out Najmul Hossain Shanto for 23. This was followed by Janith Liyanage’s brilliant diving catch at mid-off to dismiss Tanzid Hasan, who scored 62 off 61 balls.
In the 18th over, Bangladesh lost Litton Das to Wanindu Hasaranga to be reduced to 101/3. Das missed the line and was trapped LBW.
In the same over, half-centurion Tanzid Hasan looked to drill the ball wide of mid-off and ended up being caught (102/4). Mehidy Hasan Miraz was Hasaranga’s next wicket with Bangladesh reeling at 103/6. Jaker Ali (51) was Wanindu Hasaranga’s final victim.
“Milan Rathnayake was outstanding. So was Janith Liyanage. We have shown that how we can change games with our fielding and this game is a further proof for that. They were cruising at one stage. That run out from Milan changed the game. Then of course Janith Liyanage pulled off a stunner and that turned the game in our favour,” Hasaranga said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Despite scoring 244, Wanindu Hasaranga revealed that the Sri Lankan camp was confident of defending the total. He also spoke about being handed the ball in the 18th over.
“I think they felt that they should go with a seam heavy attack. But you need to adjust to conditions quickly. Bangladeshi batters took on our quicks probably knowing that when the spinners come on it will be tough to score runs. Asitha bowled well as he usually does. I think it was good to see the way the bowlers adjusted,” he said adding that they decided to bring him as late as in the 18th over due to a tactical reason. Charith, Kusal and I had a chat and we decided to hold myself back.
The plan was that since they have too many left-handers in the top order, for me to come as late as possible and attack the right-handers,” he further added.
The leg-spinner removed Litton Das for a duck and then got rid of Tanzid, courtesy of Liyanage’s catch. Kamindu Mendis, with his ambidextrous spin, went on to dismantle the middle order alongside Hasaranga, both picking up three wickets each. Meanwhile, the veteran spinner completed his 100th ODI wicket on the same day he celebrated eight years in international cricket.
“I missed a lot of cricket due to my injuries and the surgery that I had to undergo. The toughest part was missing a World Cup due to injury and very happy to have contributed for the success of Sri Lanka as I am proud about it. I wasn’t aware of the 1000-run milestone but I knew I just needed one wicket for 100 wickets. It’s a day I complete eight years as an international cricketer and very pleased with this and I hope to continue in the same way,” he concluded.
Bangladesh will now have to bounce back quickly with two more games to play in the series. The second ODI of the three-game series will be played at the same venue on Saturday and Sri Lanka would love to lead the series 2-0
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