Wanindu Hasaranga Archives

Major blow for Sri Lanka as Hasaranga ruled out of T20 World Cup

In a significant blow, Sri Lanka ace all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Hasaranga, 28, sustained a hamstring injury during the hosts’ opening game against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday.

He came into the eighth over and bowled two deliveries before pulling his hamstring. The leg-spinner, despite remaining in pain, completed his overs and played a pivotal role with the ball in his side’s 20-run victory.

He scalped three wickets in his quota of four overs while giving away 25 runs.

According to a report, Hasaranga’s MRI scan revealed a serious tear in his left hamstring, subsequently ruling him out of the T20 World Cup.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Although his replacement is yet to be named, he is likely to be replaced by all-rounder Dushan Hemantha.

The Islanders’ next group fixture is against Oman on February 12 in Pallekele, before they will take on Australia on Feb 16 at the same venue.

Their last group match will be against Zimbabwe in Colombo (RPS) on February 19.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

Sri Lanka Remaining Fixtures

February 12: v Oman, Pallekele

February 16: v Australia, Pallekele

February 19: v Zimbabwe, Colombo

READ: PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi appoint former pacer as head coach

Shanaka, Hasaranga star as Sri Lanka level T20I series against Pakistan

DAMBULLA: Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz and Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the rain-affected third T20I here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set a daunting 161, Pakistan ended up on 146/8 in a match reduced to 12 overs due to rain.

With this, the Islanders levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1, with one game washed out.

Pakistan were dealt with an early blow in the form of opener Sahibzada Farhan, who was cleaned up for nine in the second over.

With Green Shirts, 9-1, skipper Salman Ali Agha arrived and provided the innings the impetus with quick fire 45 from just 12 balls.

The right-hander hit three sixes and five fours in a partnership of 51 runs alongside Saim Ayub.

At this stage, Pakistan’s scorecard read 60 in 3.4 overs.

But things quickly turned in the home side’s favor after Salman’s dismissal, who was caught on fine leg.

Saim (6) and Usman Khan (1) followed him after leaving Pakistan 67-5 in 4.5 overs.

With the side in deep trouble, debutant Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz provided hope with 49 run partnership.

The pair managed to control the required run rate, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin wizardry shut the door on Pakistan.

He removed Nafay and Shadab in quick time to turn the game on its head. The target proved too much with 20 required in the last over. Eshan Malinga bowled a tight over, giving only five and picking up one wicket to seal a much-needed win for Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a match winnig spell of four overs, scalping four wickets in his three overs.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis’ 30 off 16 and Dasun Shanaka’s 34 from just nine balls took Sri Lanka to an imposing 160-6.

Pathum Nissanka was caught in the first over for a duck, whereas Kamil Mishara raced to 20 off just eight balls before getting caught behind.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 22-2 in 1.5 overs.

However, Kusal Mendis put together a couple of partnerships that steadied the home side’s innings.

The right-hander first stitched a 32-run stand with Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and with Charith Aslanka (21 from 13 balls) off 46 runs to take the score to the 100-run mark.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With Sri Lanka 100-4 in 8.5 overs, Mendis’ knock ended, which included two sixes and two fours.

On the very next ball, Asalanka was also sent back to put Pakistan back in the game.

However, it was Shanaka’s partnership of 52 off just 15 with Janith Liyanage that lifted them towards a commanding total.

The Islanders capitalized in the last three overs, accumulating 51 runs as Shanaka tonked five sixes in his brisk knock. Liyanage, meanwhile, also smashed three fours and a maximum in his 22 from eight balls.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim, although he picked up three wickets, but he remained on the expensive side, giving away 54 in three overs.

Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz managed to pick one wicket apiece.

READ: Kohli breaks Tendulkar’s record to reach 28,000 runs

Fans in awe of Hasaranga, Abrar after ‘spirit of cricket’ moment

Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed and Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga have won hearts worldwide after sharing a heartwarming display of mutual respect following the Men in Green’s Super Four victory over the Islanders in the Asia Cup 2025.

Pakistan achieved a five-wicket victory at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday, moving up to second place on the points table.

However, both Hasaranga and Ahmed had some tense moments on the field when the duo mimicked each other’s celebrations after taking wickets.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

Abrar Ahmed did the celebration first when he bowled Wanindu Hasaranga, while the Sri Lankan spinner returned the favor twice.

He imitated Abrar’s celebration after taking a stunning catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman off Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling.

In the subsequent over, he clean-bowled Saim Ayub and celebrated like Abrar once again while looking towards Pakistan’s dugout.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Green Shirts managed to overcome an early collapse, thanks to the efforts of Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz, who led the team to victory.

After the match, Hasaranga and Abrar did not let their previous tensions affect them; instead, they demonstrated sportsmanship.

A video that surfaced on social media shows the two exchanging handshakes after the game. They hugged each other and shared a laugh about the events on the field, ultimately deciding to bury the hatchet.

Just loved this.. friendly banter during the game, at the end of the game, they are brothers. incredible Sportsmanship.. lot to learn from this for all cricketers. #PAKVSL #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/iOCiTToXm5

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 23, 2025

Lovely moment between Hasaranga and Abrar.

This is what you call banter and sportsmanship. All fun on the field and friends off it. pic.twitter.com/30cTNYxeBx

— yang goi (@GongR1ght) September 23, 2025

See that moment between Abrar and Hasaranga? Copying each other’s celebrations as playful on-field banter, then laughing and hugging it out in the end. That’s the beauty of this sport. That’s true sportsmanship. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nWVzaUidAu

— Brashna Kasi (@Brashnaa) September 23, 2025

READ: Barcelona’s Gavi to miss up to five months after knee surgery

Bangladesh’s dramatic collapse hands Sri Lanka dominant win in series opener

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka secured a resounding 77-run victory over Bangladesh to go 1-0 up in the opening match of the One-Day International (ODI) series here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a 245-run target, Bangladesh were bundled out for just 167 runs in 35.5 overs.

Bangladesh were cruising at one stage as the scorecard read 100 in the 16th over. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s wicket on the third ball of the over triggered a humiliating collapse for the Tigers.

Ultimately, Bangladesh lost seven wickets for five runs in the span of just five overs.

Bangladesh lost their debutant Parvez Hossain Emon early in the chase, whose ephemeral 13 runs of 16 balls ended in the fourth over.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 71-run partnership at a run-a-ball steadied the visitors in the run chase, bringing the score to 100 in 16 overs.

Shanto’s (23) wicket sparked a collapse that the Tigers could never recover from. Soon after Litton Das (0), Towhid Hridoy (1), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0) went in quick succession as wickets fell in heaps.

Tanzid Hasan remained the top scorer with his 62 off 61 deliveries, laced with nine fours and a six, while lower-order batter Jaker Ali scored 51 off 64 balls, with the aid of four boundaries and four maximums.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler, picking up four wickets and giving away just 10 runs in 7.5 overs. Kamindu Mendis supported him well with three scalps in five overs.

With an explosive spell, Wanindu Hasaranga also achieved the milestone of reaching 100 ODI wickets in 64 matches.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 244 runs in 49.2 overs.

Skipper Charith Asalanka starred with the bat, scoring his fifth ODI hundred, rescuing the Islanders from a precarious 29-3 in 6.1 overs.

The left-hander smashed four sixes and half a dozen fours on his way to 106 off 123 balls.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took four wickets while Tanzim Hasan Sakib bagged three wickets.

The second ODI of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be played on 5 July at the same venue.

READ: India Champions’ squad revealed for WCL 2025

Kamran Akmal questions Wanindu Hasaranga’s commitment to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been under fire for his recent performances and former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has questioned his commitment to the national team.

Hasaranga, who is the number one all-rounder in ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder rankings, had a dismal outing in the ongoing series against India.

During the first two games, he managed only two wickets and returned with a golden duck and a three-ball two.

Kamran Akmal did not mince his words while criticizing Wanindu Hasaranga as he raised concern over the star all-rounders’ seriousness while playing for Sri Lanka.

“You’ve been the captain and are a match-winner. But look how he’s batted and bowled. His attitude doesn’t look serious on the field,” Akmal stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The former wicketkeeper also urged Hasaranga to show the same level of commitment to the national team as he displays in the franchise leagues.

“We have seen him give everything in LPL and IPL. You need to have the same commitment while playing for your nation as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, another former Pakistan batter Basit Ali also echoed the similar opinion, stating that Hasaranga considers himself bigger than the game.

“Number one all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga. I think he has become bigger than cricket. Cricket is small, he is big,” Basit said.

“He got out on the first ball by playing a poor shot. With the ball, he was taken to the cleaners by Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal,” he added.

Sri Lanka have lost the three-match T20I series against India after suffering two defeats in the first two games, with the last match scheduled later today.

READ: Pakistan U19 skipper inspired by Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy

All-round Hasaranga leads Falcons to massive victory over Sixers

COLOMBO: Wanindu Hasaranga took a four-fer after brisk half-centuries from Andre Fletcher and Kamindu Mendis to propel Kandy Falcons to a thumping 54-run victory over Dambulla Sixers in the 18th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 here on Monday.

Chasing a daunting 223-run total, the Sixers could accumulate 168/9 despite a fighting half-century from Kusal Perera.

The Sixers were never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals while Perera did the majority of the fight single-handedly.

Perera waged a lone battle until he was dismissed by Hasaranga in the 15th over.

The opening batter smashed five fours and as many sixes on his way to top score for the Sixers with a 40-ball 74.

Mark Chapman, who scored 24 off 19 in the middle, was the next contributor to the Sixers’ pursuit.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Hasaranga led the bowling charge for the Falcons with four wickets, followed by Dasun Shanaka with three while Mohammad Hasnain and Chaturanga de Silva made one scalp each.

Earlier, the Falcons registered a massive total of 222/4 on the board, courtesy of Fletcher’s fifty and an unbeaten partnership between Mendis and Angelo Mathews.

Fletcher carried his bat till the 13th over and returned with top-scoring for the Falcons with a quickfire. His 34-ball knock featured one four and seven sixes.

Following his dismissal, Mendis joined forces with Mathews and added an unbeaten 95 runs to the total.

Mendis returned undefeated with a 24-ball 51 while Mathews made 44 not out in 23 balls.

Dushan Hemantha was the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers with 3/14 in his four overs.

The 54-run victory lifted Kandy Falcons to the fifth spot in the LPL 2024 standings with six points, two clear of rock-bottom Dambulla Sixers.

READ: David Warner “won’t be there in Pakistan” for Champions Trophy 2025

Schedule for India’s white-ball tour to Sri Lanka announced

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday, unveiled the schedule of India’s white-ball tour to Sri Lanka, comprising a three-match ODI and T20I series.

The upcoming white-ball tour will mark Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment after being appointed as India’s head coach, preceding Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after guiding the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 glory.

The reigning T20I champions are currently engaged in a five-match away T20I series against Zimbabwe. However, their white-ball series against Sri Lanka may see the return of the first-choice players.

According to the itinerary announced by the SLC, India will touch down in Sri Lanka on July 22 while the T20I series is scheduled to commence on July 26 with the second and third T20Is set to be played on July 27 and 29 respectively.

All three T20Is will take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele before the action shifts to Colombo, where the ODI series will take place.

The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka will kick off on August 1 while the remaining fixtures will be played on August 4 and 7. All three ODIs will be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium here.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier today, star all-rounder Wanindu Hasarana stepped down as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain, meaning that the home side will take on the World Champions under new leadership.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform the public that National Men’s T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to resign from the captaincy,” the SLC said in a statement.

According to the cricketing body, Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player.

“Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team and leadership as always,” said Hasaranga in his resignation letter.

For the unversed, the all-rounder was appointed as the T20I captain last year and only led the team in 10 matches.

Schedule for India’s white-ball tour to Sri Lanka

1st T20I- July 26 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
2nd T20I – July 27 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
3rd T20I – July 29 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
1st ODI – August 1 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
2nd ODI – August 4 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3rd ODI – August 7 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo

READ: India unwilling to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

Wanindu Hasaranga steps down as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain

COLOMBO: Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, on Thursday, decided to step down as Sri Lanka T20I captain following the team’s dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform the public that National Men’s T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to resign from the captaincy,” the Sri Lankan cricketing body said in a statement.

According to the cricketing body, Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player.

“Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team and leadership as always,” said Hasaranga in his resignation letter.

For the unversed, the all-rounder was appointed as the T20I captain last year and only led the team in 10 matches.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Hasaranga was given the leadership duty following his all-round and captaincy masterclass in the previous edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

He set the tournament ablaze, finishing as the leading wicket-taker and leading run-scorer and led Kandy to their maiden LPL title.

Wanindu Hasaranga is currently leading Kandy Falcons in the ongoing LPL 2024. His side, the defending champions, are currently at the bottom of the standings with just four points in six matches.

Sri Lanka, under Hasaranga’s captaincy, had a campaign to remember in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 as the former champions could secure only one victory in the tournament.

The 2014 champions finished third in Group D of the mega event which saw eventual finalists South Africa and Bangladesh, advancing into the Super Eights stage.

READ: Hasan Ali hails Babar Azam as ‘King’ yet again

Seifert’s 82 trumps Hasaranga’s fifty as Galle Marvels beat Kandy Falcons

DAMBULLA: Wanindu Hasaranga’s explosive half-century went in vain as Tim Seifert played a dominant 82-run knock to help Galle Marvels defeat Kandy Falcons in the ninth match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.

Set to chase 176, Galle Marvels steered to victory in 17.1 overs with a loss of four wickets courtesy of Seifert’s unbeaten half-century.

Niroshan Dickwella set the tone with three boundaries in the first over, however, he fell on the last ball of the over.

Alex Hales was joined by Seifert and together they attacked the Falcons’ bowlers, constructing a 79-run stand for the second wicket in just 34 balls.

Hasaranga broke the partnership in the seventh over when he enticed Hales to attempt a slog sweep, only to get caught by Pavan Rathnayake at deep mid-wicket.

Hales played a quick 38-run cameo off 19 balls with four boundaries and three sixes.

Seifert continued his onslaught as he got involved in a brief 38-run partnership with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (16) before Shoriful Islam castled the latter.

Janith Liyanage (11) struck two boundaries off Lakshan Sandakan, however, he got stumped while going for the third one.

Sahan Arachchige (9) joined Seifert and they safely steered Marvels to their third victory in the LPL 2024 with an unbeaten partnership of 29 runs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Seifert finished with an unbeaten 82 off 49, with the help of 13 boundaries, including two sixes.

Shoriful Islam led the bowling attack with two wickets, aided by Hasaranga and Sandakan, who bagged one each.

Galle Marvels’ captain Niroshan Dickwella invited Kandy Falcons to bat first and the bowlers proved the decision right by taking four wickets in quick succession with 32 runs on the board.

Opening batter Andre Fletcher, who remained unfazed amid falling wickets, partnered with Angelo Mathews (25) to add 45 runs for the fifth wicket.

Fletcher scored a 36-ball 50 with four boundaries and two sixes before falling prey to Maheesh Theekshana.

Wanindu Hasaranga then played a blistering cameo to push his team’s total to 175-7 in their allocated 20 overs.

The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 65 from 32 balls, laced with seven boundaries and three sixes.

For Galle Marvels, Isuru Udana claimed three wickets, while Zahoor Khan picked two.

READ: Washington Freedom edge past MI New York in rain-hit MLC clash

Hasaranga, Shakib share top-spot in ICC T20I All-Rounder Rankings

DUBAI: Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Waninda Hasaranga and Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan are tied at the top of the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I all-rounder rankings ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Both players are set to enter the mega-event as top-ranked T20I all-rounders after Shakib Al Hasan lost two points due to his unimpressive performance in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Hasaranga, who was ranked second, joined the Bangladesh star on top, separated by 10 points from the third-ranked Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza played brilliantly against Bangladesh to jump two places, reaching the fourth spot, followed by the South African captain Aiden Markram at fifth.

After the conclusion of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Ireland, star all-rounder Imad Wasim rose to the joint 16th position in the all-rounders’ rankings. He also jumped 24 spots to equal 52nd in the T20I bowling rankings.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pakistan’s top-order batter Fakhar Zaman jumped four places to 57th in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings on the back of his impressive showing against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Andrew Balbirnie, who ended the series with 128 runs at 42.66, rose six places to 53rd in the batting rankings.

His teammate Harry Tector jumped 12 spots to 69th after scoring 98 runs against Pakistan at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 130.66.

There was not much movement in the T20I bowling rankings, other than Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed jumping three places to 23rd and Mustafizur Rahman gaining five spots to reach 25th.

READ: India’s potential T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final venue unveiled