Wanindu Hasaranga celebrated his return to international cricket with 7-19, the fifth-best bowling figures in men’s ODI history.

At the 2023 LPL, Wanindu Hasaranga had the most runs, the most wickets, the best bowling average, the best economy rate, the best batting strike rate, the best bowling figures, the most sixes, and the two fastest scores in the competition.

He also led B-Love Kandy, the team that won the competition, and was predictably named the Player of the Tournament. After pulling off one of the greatest performances in the history of Twenty20 league, he was touted for great things at the World Cup.

Unfortunately, an injury and a subsequent surgery ruled him out of the tournament. He returned to play for the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament, and took five wickets and 43 runs from two matches for the Colombo Cricket Club.

In between, Sri Lanka Cricket named him their new captain in T20Is. In the home series against Zimbabwe, Hasaranga missed the first two ODIs as Sri Lanka went 1-0 up after a rain-hit match.

He returned for the final ODI, which was reduced to 27 overs per sisde. As a result, two bowlers were restricted to six overs each, and the rest to five overs.

He came on as the fifth bowler, in the ninth over of the match, and took out Takudzwanashe Kaitano with his sixth ball, triggering a 10-ball sequence where he claimed three wickets for four runs.

At one point his figures read 4.5-1-8-5, but a no-ball went for two, and Luke Jongwe hit a six to ‘ruin’ Hasaranga’s figures. Kusal Mendis took him off, but he returned to claim the last two wickets and finish with figures of 5.5-1-19-7, the fifth-best bowling figures in men’s ODIs.

Best figures in men’s ODI history

8-19 – Chaminda Vaas against Zimbabwe at SSC 2001/02
7-12 – Shahid Afridi against West Indies at Providence 2013
7-15 – Glenn McGrath against Namibia at Potchefstroom 2003 (World Cup)
7-18 – Rashid Khan against West Indies at Gros Islet 2017
7-19 – Wanindu Hasaranga against Zimbabwe at Premadasa 2023/24

In women’s ODIs, Sajjida Shah had 7-4 against Japan at Amsterdam in 2003, Jo Chamberlain 7-8 against Denmark at Haarlem in 1991, and Anisa Mohammed 7-14 against Pakistan at Mirpur in 2011/12.

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 96 in 22.5 overs.

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