Feb 20: In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Sri Lankan cricket sensation Wanindu Hasaranga etched his name into history books by reaching a remarkable milestone in the shortest format of the game – Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket. On February 19, 2024, Hasaranga joined the exclusive club of eleven players worldwide to have captured over one hundred T20I wickets, making him the second Sri Lankan bowler to achieve such a feat, following the legendary Lasith Malinga.
Hasaranga reached this prestigious landmark during the second T20I match against Afghanistan in Dambulla, where he took two wickets while conceding just 19 runs from his four overs. His accomplishment was even more impressive when considering that it came in his sixty-third T20I appearance, which made him the second-fastest cricketer ever to reach 100 T20I wickets, trailing behind Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who had done so in fifty-three games.
Wanindu Hasaranga an incredible T20 Journey
The left-arm wrist-spin bowler Wanindu Hasaranga, who also serves as the current T20I team captain, has been a dominant force in the world of T20 cricket since his debut in 2019. He boasts a staggeringly low average of 15.36 and an equally impressive economy rate of 6.78 across his 63 appearances. Aside from being the fastest Sri Lankan to reach 100 T20I wickets, Hasaranga has also surpassed fellow countryman Malinga in terms of total number of wickets, having amassed 101 compared to Malinga’s 100.
This achievement not only highlights Hasaranga’s exceptional talent but also underscores the strength of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the T20 arena. With Wanindu Hasaranga leading the way, the island nation can look forward to continued successes in international cricket tournaments.
