The ODI World Cups have featured some remarkable bowling outings. The prestigious tournament, which is held every four years, has produced some remarkable bowling efforts. On the same note, we will look at the top 3 bowling figures by Sri Lankan players.
3. 6/25 – Chaminda Vaas vs Bangladesh in Pietermaritzburg in 2003
In 2003’s Pietermaritzburg World Cup, Sri Lanka star pacer Chaminda Vaas produced damage from the start by knocking four Bangladesh batters during the first over (a hat-trick), with the first three wickets occurring from the first three balls of the game. Vaas grabbed one more wicket to bring his total to five in the fifth over. Subsequently in the match, he returned to the field to add a sixth wicket, concluding with excellent stats of 6 for 25 as Bangladesh got off at 124 and leading a great win for the Sri Lankan side.
2. /6/38 – Lasith Malinga vs Kenya in Colombo (RPS) in 2011
During the 2011 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s star bowler Lasith Malinga gathered six wickets in the clash against Kenya, featuring a magnificent hat-trick, as Sri Lanka obtained an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Kenya in their World Cup Group A encounter in Colombo. During that mega-tournament, Malinga accumulated his second hat-trick of the tournament by recording six for 38 and demolishing Kenya’s lineup. Earlier, on that day, Kenya’s skipper won the toss and decided to bat first. While picking up the bat first, Kenya collapsed for 142 in 43 overs, whereas Sri Lanka made a rapid start to the chase by attaining their target in 19 overs.
1. 5/32 – Ashantha de Mel vs New Zealand in Derby in 1983
Sri Lanka didn’t have the greatest record at the World Cup in 1983, but their victory over New Zealand did play a significant role when it came to which nation would advance to the semi-finals as England’s opponents. Notably, during their match-up against the Black Caps, Ashantha de Mel was the bowler for Sri Lanka, who ended with a 5/32 aggregate that helped the Kiwis get out for 181. Sri Lanka obtained just one victory out of its six contests in the tournament.