Wanindu Hasaranga hammers his fifth half-century in ODIs: Key stats
What's the story
Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, having won the series opener at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Despite Wanindu Hasaranga's valiant all-round efforts, Pakistan managed to clinch a six-run victory. After taking three wickets with the ball, the all-rounder hammered a fiery half-century lower down the order. Here we decode his knock and stats.
Game shift
An innings of character from Hasaranga
Chasing 300 in the game, Sri Lanka started their innings with an impressive 85-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka (29) and Kamil Mishara (38). However, Haris Rauf turned the game with a four-wicket haul as the visitors were reeling at 191/6 when Hasaranga arrived in the middle. The batter kept Sri Lanka's hopes alive with a blistering knock as Maheesh Theekshana (21* off 18 balls) complemented him well.
Final moments
Hasaranga's heroics go in vain
Needing 50 off the last five overs, Hasaranga brought it down to 23 off two overs. However, his dismissal in the penultimate over sealed Pakistan's victory. The win was a close call for the hosts, who had to fight hard to cross the finish line. Earlier in the game, Hasaranga claimed three of the first four fallen Pakistan wickets to finish with 3/54 in 10 overs. With the bat, the leg-spinning all-rounder made 59 off 52 balls (7 fours).
DYK
Special fifty for Hasaranga
As per ESPNcricinfo, Hasaranga became the second Sri Lankan batter to score an ODI fifty on Pakistan soil while batting at eight or lower. He joined Kumar Dharmasena, who made 69* while batting at eight in the 1997 Lahore affair against South Africa. Overall, this was his fifty ODI fifty, and a maiden one against Pakistan across three matches. He has raced to 1,089 runs from 67 ODIs at an average of 23.17. His strike rate reads 108.46.
Information
111 wickets with the ball
Hasaranga has also been Sri Lanka's mainstay spinner in white-ball cricket. Since making his ODI debut in 2017, the leg-spinner has taken 111 wickets at an average of 23.90. His economy rate in 50-over cricket reads 5.09. Hasaranga has five four-wicket hauls and four fifers in the format.