Wanindu Hasaranga joins Waqar Younis in unique list with third consecutive five-wicket haul in ODIs

Hasaranga, who picked up six for 24 against the United Arab Emirates and five for 13 against Oman in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, claimed figures of five for 79 in the 133-run victory over Ireland.

This made the Sri Lankan become the first spinner and second player to achieve the feat, which was only achieved by Pakistan great Younis, who recorded three successive five-wicket hauls in 1990.

Waqar had claimed figures of five for 11 and five for 16 against New Zealand, and five for 52 against West Indies in the space of five days in November 1990. The feat is very unique as it’s very difficult to achieve especially in the limited overs format.

Hasaranga’s figures of 5/79, however, was also the second most expensive five-wicket haul in One Day International history after England spinner Adil Rashid’s figures of 5/85 against West Indies in 2019.

Coming back to the World Cup qualifier, Sri Lanka rode on Dimuth Karunaratne’s maiden ODI hundred and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 82-run knock to set a target of 326. Later, the Lankans led by Hasaranga bundled the Irish side out for just 192 in 31 overs.

Hasaranga was awarded the Player of the match, while fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana claimed two wickets and the pace trio of Kasun Rajitha, Dasun Shanaka and Lahiru Kumara all took a wicket each.

The result meant that Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Six stage of the Qualifier while Ireland are out of the World Cup race and will miss the 50-over showpiece event later this year in India in October-November.

Earlier in the ODI World Cup qualifier, Hasaranga had entered the top 10 list for best bolwing figures for Sri Lanka in ODIs when he claimed the six-wicket haul.