Sri Lanka’s premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga recently achieved a significant milestone in his career by joining an exclusive club, becoming only the second Sri Lankan player to secure 100 wickets in T20 International matches.
With this achievement, Hasaranga now stands as the eleventh men’s player globally and the second Sri Lankan bowler to reach the coveted 100-wicket mark in T20Is, following in the footsteps of Lasith Malinga.
During the second T20I against Afghanistan at Dambulla, the leg-spinner, currently serving as the captain of the T20I team, reached this milestone, marking a remarkable accomplishment in his cricketing journey.
Since making his debut in 2019, Hasaranga has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in men’s T20Is, demonstrating his prowess and impact in the shortest format of the game.
Malinga, a legendary figure in Sri Lankan cricket, was the sole other Sri Lankan bowler to achieve the milestone of over 100 T20I wickets. Notably, Malinga reached this milestone in his 76th T20I appearance, while Hasaranga accomplished it in his 63rd match, making him the second-fastest bowler to reach the milestone, trailing only Rashid Khan, who achieved the feat in 53 matches back in 2021.
In the recent encounter at Dambulla, Hasaranga contributed significantly with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/19 in four overs. This performance propelled his tally to 101 wickets in 63 T20Is, boasting an impressive average of 15.36 and a strike rate of 6.78.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka secured a victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I, thereby claiming a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This triumph not only highlighted Sri Lanka’s dominance in the series but also underscored Hasaranga’s invaluable contribution to the team’s success.
In conclusion, Wanindu Hasaranga’s achievement of reaching 100 T20I wickets not only solidifies his position as a key asset for the Sri Lankan cricket team but also cements his legacy as one of the finest spinners in the contemporary cricketing landscape.
