Wanindu Hasaranga Archives

LPL: Hasaranga six-fer lifts B-Love Kandy as Jaffna Kings crash out

COLOMBO: Wanindu Hasaranga, with impressive bowling figures of 6-9, scripted a thumping victory for B-Love Kandy as they defeated defending champions Jaffna Kings by 61 runs in the Eliminator of Lanka Premier League (LPL) on Thursday.

After winning the toss, Jaffna Kings opted to ball first and drew first blood early on as Nuwan Thushara castled Fakhar Zaman in the first over.

However, Dinesh Chandimal recovered Jaffna Kings as he played a quick cameo of 41 runs in 24 balls, featuring six boundaries and one six.

He departed at a total score of 69 in the eighth over, after knitting a solid 39-ball 68 runs partnership with Mohammad Haris.

Hasaranga joined Haris at the crease and started off well, hitting two sixes to Asela Gunaratne, however, the bowler got the last laugh as he was bowled two balls later after scoring 19 off 11.

Mohammad Haris, who anchored through the innings with 38 runs off 32 balls shifted gears in the 14th over hitting 18 runs off Gunaratne and completed his half-century in the process.

Kamindu Mendis rotated strike while Haris attacked Jaffna bowlers amid their 55 runs partnership off 33 balls.

Haris finally departed after scoring 79 runs off 49 balls with the help of eight fours and four sixes. Maheesh Theekshana picked up the prized wicket courtesy of stumping by Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

B-Love Kandy appeared to be in a position to breach the 200-run mark at the end of the 18th over with 180 runs on the board, however, Jaffna Kings’ bowlers pulled them back as they only managed eight runs in the final two overs to reach 188/8.

Nuwan Thushara topped the bowling card with 4-40, including three wickets in the final over of the innings. Meanwhile, Maheesh Theekshana and Asela Gunaratne picked up two wickets each.

Jaffna Kings started their chase horribly as they were reduced to 49-4 in seven overs after Wanindu Hasaranga’s double-wicket sixth over.

However, veterans Shoaib Malik and David Miller then knitted a partnership of 52 runs from 33 balls before the latter fell prey to Hasaranga after scoring 26 off 22. Asela Gunaratne followed him two balls later as Hasaranga registered another double-wicket over.

Jaffna Kings needed 88 runs from seven overs with Shoaib Maik and Thisara Perera at the crease, however, Perera perished without opening his account.

Ultimately, the whole team bundled out at a total of 127 in the 18th over as Hasaranga returned for his final over and once again picked two wickets in the over to complete his six-fer.

This was the first five-wicket haul in this year’s LPL and the best-ever bowling figures in the league’s history.

Shoaib Malik top-scored for Jaffna Kings with 31 runs from 23 balls with the help of three boundaries and one six.

After knocking out defending LPL champions Jaffna Kings, B-Love Kandy will now face Galle Titans in the Qualifier 2 of LPL on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Dambulla Aura has already qualified for the LPL final after winning Qualifier 1 against Galle Titans.

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Wanindu Hasaranga retires from Test cricket

Sri Lanka’s spin sensation Wanindu Hasaranga has announced to bid farewell to Test cricket in a bid to prolong his limited-over format career.

Hasaranga, who made his Test debut in 2020 against South Africa, could represent Sri Lanka in only four matches.

During his brief Test career, the all-rounder accumulated 196 runs at an average of 28 with the help of a half-century while taking four wickets at a dismal average of 100.75.

His last appearance in Test cricket for Sri Lanka was against Bangladesh in 2021.

According to the details, the star all-rounder informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) regarding his decision and the cricketing body accepted it.

“We will accept his decision and are confident that Hasaranga will be a vital part of our white-ball program going forward,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC.

Notably, Wanindu Hasaranga has emerged as Sri Lanka’s white-ball specialist since making his ODI debut in 2017 and is a regular member of their limited-overs set-up.

He has thus far featured in 48 ODIs and 58 T20Is, taking 158 wickets across the limited-over formats and scoring 1365 runs.

Hasaranga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s perfect Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWC) campaign in Zimbabwe.

He spearheaded Sri Lanka’s bowling attack and ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps to his name.

Wanindu Hasaranga is currently leading Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise B-Love Kandy in the ongoing edition of the extravaganza.

His side B-Love Kandy placed second in the LPL standings with eight points in as many matches and thus, have already qualified for the playoffs.

The last group fixture of the ongoing edition of the LPL will be played between Colombo Strikers and Galle Titans which will decide the fate of the playoffs daws.

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Hasaranga powers B-Love Kandy to thrash Galle Titans in LPL

Pallekele: Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round exploits guided B-Love Kandy to a thumping 89-run victory against Galle Titans in the 12th game of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Hasaranga, who has been in tremendous form in LPL this year, played a blitzing knock of 65 off 27, before decimating Galle Titans’ batting lineup with figures of 4-17.

Galle Titans captain Dasun Shanaka opted to bowl first after winning the toss. They drew first blood as Richard Ngarava sent Mohammad Haris back to the dugout.

However, they failed to capitalize on the early damage as Fakhar Zaman and Dinesh Chandimal stitched a solid 49-run partnership before the latter was removed by Tabraiz Shamsi with 75 runs on the board in nine overs.

Zaman was joined by Angelo Mathews in the middle and cautiously, while the opener anchored the innings before hitting a four and six off successive deliveries of Tabraiz Shamsi to bolster the total.

He added three more runs to his tally before falling to a magnificent catch at long-on by Ngarava off Lahiru Samarakoon. Zaman’s 35-ball 45 featured three boundaries and two sixes.

The scoreboard read 103-3 in 12.1 overs when Hasaranga came out to bat, fancying his match-winning half-century (52* off 22) against Jaffna Kings in the last match.

Hasaranga dominated the Titans’ bowlers and soon raced to 38 off 15 before Angelo Mathews joined the party with a six off Kasun Rajitha. Together, they stitched a vital partnership of 87 off 38 balls.

The destructive partnership was broken when Mathews was removed at a total of 190 by Samarakoon, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Kasun Rajitha. Mathews scored a 23-ball 40, featuring three boundaries and two sixes.

Hasaranga was still on the crease, eyeing a 200-run landmark, but he was caught at mid-wicket by Shevon Daniel off Rajitha. His blistering knock of 64 off 27 was laced with nine boundaries and two sixes.

Isuru Udana scored two off the next delivery to reach the 200-run mark, the first of LPL 2023, before the innings ended at 203 with the loss of five wickets.

Lahiru Samarakoon picked two wickets for 31 runs, while Shamsi, Rajitha and Ngarava picked one apiece.

Galle Titans started the mammoth chase on a high as Lasith Croospulle scored 11 runs off the first over, bowled by Mathews.

However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman cut their flying start short by removing Shevon Daniel (0) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (5) in his successive overs.

Lasith Croospulle continued to attack from the other end, before being cleaned up by Hasaranga in his first over. Croospulle played a quick cameo of 27 off 17.

Wanindu Hasaranga then removed a struggling Shakib Al Hasan (11 off 12), which reduced Galle Titans to 47-6 in the ninth over.

Ashan Priyanjan and Lahiru Samarakoon then formed a solid partnership of 62 off 45 balls, however, the mounting required run rate maintained pressure on both batters.

Subsequently, the asking run rate got the better of both batters, sent packing by Nuwan Pradeep in the span of three deliveries, leaving Titans requiring 93 runs from four overs with two wickets in hand.

Hasaranga then picked the final two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the next over to seal a dominant triumph for B-Love Kandy.

Samarakoon top-scored for the Titans with 36 off 25 balls, hitting one boundary and four sixes.

Wanindu Hasaranga finished with figures of four wickets for 17 runs, while Pradeep picked up three wickets.

The victory helped B-Love Kandy improve their net-run rate and jump to the top of the table in LPL 2023, while Galle Titans sank to the bottom.

Galle Titans will face Dambulla Aura in their next game on August 11, while B-Love Kandy will square off against holders Jaffna Kings on August 12.

READ: Hasan eclipses Malik’s heroics as Dambulla Aura edge Jaffna Kings in LPL

Hasaranga leads B-Love Kandy to a crushing victory over Jaffna Kings in LPL

PALLEKELE: Wanindu Hasaranga followed his 3/9 with a quickfire half-century and helped B-Love Kandy to sink Jaffna Kings by eight wickets in the ninth game of Lanka Premier League (LPL).

After winning the toss, B-Love Kandy opted to bowl first and reduced Jaffna Kings to 7-2 in 2.1 overs, removing Rahmanulla Gurbaz (0) and Charith Asalanka (5) quickly, thanks to an amazing display of pace bowling by Angelo Mathews. He picked up two wickets in his two overs for eight runs.

Towhid Hridoy (19 off 22) tried to anchor the Kings’ innings with a brief third-wicket partnership with David Miller but was removed by Hasaranga with the scoreboard reading at 34 in seven overs.

Miller and Priyamal Perera then made notable contributions – 21 each – in the middle but failed to pull their side out of danger.

Following their departure, the Kings lost wickets at an alarming rate and were consequently slipped to 86/9 in the 17th over before Dunith Wellalage added valuable runs at the backend.

Wellalage’s gutsy knock recovered the Kings to 117/6 in 20 overs. His 27-ball 38 featured six boundaries and a six.

Wanindu Hasarnga returned with impressive figures of 3-9 in his four overs, while Nuwan Pradeep picked three wickets for 36 runs.

B-Love Kandy got off to a cautious start to the run chase as they could score 31 runs in the powerplay.

Nandre Burger then castled Chandimal (22 off 16) on the first delivery after the powerplay to draw a much-needed success for the Kings.

Promoting himself up the order, Hasaranga joined Fakhar in the middle and turned the game on its head with belligerent hitting.

He baton charged the Kings’ bowlers while Fakhar Zaman held his end firm.

The duo added 71 runs off 36 balls for the second wicket before Fakhar faltered with B-Love Kandy requiring just 16 in eight overs.

He scored an anchoring 42 off 39, laced up with two boundaries and two sixes.

Hasaranga did not hold back despite Fakhar’s dismissal as he finished the game in the same over by hitting 15 runs off the last four deliveries.

His 22-ball 52 feature five boundaries and three maximums.

B-Love Kandy are slated at fourth position in the LPL standings, while Jaffna Kings are at three, thanks to their better net run rate.

Jaffna Kings will face Dambulla Aura on Monday, whereas, B-Love Kandy will square off against Galle Titans on August 8.

READ: LPL: Kusal Mendis guides Dambulla Aura to edge Colombo Strikers

Wanindu Hasaranga named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June

Star Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga got the reward of his sensational Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier campaign as he claimed the ICC Player of the Month award for June 2023.

Wanindu Hasaranga beat out strong opposition from Australia batter Travis Head and Zimbabwe opener Sean Williams for the coveted award on the back of his superb performances for the island nation at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier.

“I am extremely happy with this award, and it comes at an important moment for Sri Lanka Cricket, after we made it to the Cricket World Cup in India. I am privileged and honoured to have been chosen as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” said Hasaranga.

The all-rounder collected 26 wickets at an average of 10 during the month, with the majority of those scalps helping Sri Lanka qualify for the 50-over World Cup at the end of the year.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the leading wicket-taker at the Qualifier event, with the 25-year-old also becoming just the second player in the history of ODI cricket to claim three consecutive five-wicket hauls.

Pakistan great Waqar Younis managed the feat way back in 1990 and Hasaranga matched the exploits of the dynamic quick by following up the impressive figures of 6/24 against the UAE with a pair of five-wicket hauls against Oman and Ireland.

If Wanindu Hasaranga’s efforts with the ball weren’t enough, the right-hander also managed to score 91 runs with the bat during the month of June to show his versatility in all facets of the game.

It is pertinent to mention that Wanindu Hasaranga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s perfect campaign in the recently-concluded CWC Qualifier.

The former champions remained unbeaten in the tournament to book their spot in this year’s ICC Men’s World Cup in India, scheduled to commence on October 5.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner edged out Ashes rival Tammy Beaumont and West Indies captain Hayley Mathews to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for June 2023.

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Hasaranga’s five-for lifts Sri Lanka to thwart Oman in CWC Qualifier

BULAWAYO: Wanindu Hasaranga decimated Oman batters with a ruthless five-wicket haul before Dimuth Karunaratne’s half-century propelled Sri Lanka to a perfect 10-wicket victory in the ongoing Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier.

Putting Oman into bat first, Sri Lankan bowlers put on a dominant show to bundle them out for a meagre 98-run total as Wanindu Hasaranga claimed a sensational five-wicket haul.

Oman, who were unbeaten in their opening two matches of the CWC Qualifier, came face to face with Sri Lanka and felt the wrath of the former champions and Asia Cup winners.

Batting first in the 11th match of the tournament, Oman’s batting lineup failed completely and could only accumulate 98 runs before bundling out in the 31st overs.

All-rounder Ayaan Khan offered some resistance with a gutsy 41 off 60 deliveries while opening batter Jatinder Singh (21) was the other valuable contributor to Oman’s total, who had an overall dismal show with the bat.

Besides the two, none of their batters could make significant contributions while eight of them even failed to make it to the double digits.

Wanindu Hasaranga led the bowling attack for Sri Lanka with 5/13 while Lahiru Kumara returned with 3/22. Kasun Rajitha, on the other hand, made one scalp.

Click to watch CWC Qualifier Live on ARY ZAP

Set to chase a modest 99, Sri Lankan openers put on an unbeaten and match-winning 100-run partnership and steered their side to a statement 10-wicket victory with 210 balls to spare over spirited Oman.

Dimuth Karunaratne was the core aggressor of the unbeaten partnership as he top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 51-ball 61 which featured eight boundaries.

His opening partner Pathum Nissanka played an anchoring role and remained not out on 37. He faced 39 balls and smashed five boundaries.

The dominant 10-wicket victory lifted Sri Lanka to the top of the Group B standings of the CWC Qualifier with four points in two matches and are followed by Oman with as many points in three matches.

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