Wanindu Hasaranga made history on Sunday by becoming only the second bowler in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket to achieve three consecutive five-wicket hauls.
This remarkable feat occurred during the ICC World Cup 2023 qualifying match between Sri Lanka and Ireland.
It is worth noting that this accomplishment comes 33 years after Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis achieved the same feat in 1990 against New Zealand and West Indies.
Waqar’s outstanding performances included figures of 5/11 and 5/16 against New Zealand, as well as 5/52 against the West Indies.
In the match against Ireland, Sri Lanka secured a convincing 133-run victory, effectively ending Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the upcoming 50-over Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year.
That result also clinched a place in the Super Six for Scotland and Oman, who were in action at the same time. Scotland ran out 76-run winners in that one, with Brandon McMullen’s brilliant century setting them up for victory.
Sri lanka who are in Group B have qualified for the Super Six stage. Sri Lanka will now face Scotland on June 27 in a crucial fixture that will help decide which team will carry two more crucial points to the Super Six stage.
Like Group B, the three qualifiers for the Super Six in Group A are already decided, with Zimbabwe, Netherlands and the West Indies all safely through.
Three is still plenty on the line for the latter two sides however, when they meet at the Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare.
With both sides having lost to Zimbabwe, they will need a win in this one to take any points through to the Super Six stage.
Considering that only the top two from the Super Six will reach the final and qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, those two points could have huge ramifications.
