Sri Lanka started the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 with a big win against United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the top batters had a great time, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga destroyed the UAE batting line-up with a six-wicket haul.
Sri Lanka: 355/6 (50 overs)
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, hosted that game, where UAE chose to field first. The top five Sri Lankan batters scored 45+ runs, including four half-centuries, to guide the team to the big ODI total of 355/6 in 50 overs.
Both openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne scored 57 and 52 runs respectively. Then, Kusal Mendis scored 78 off 63 balls (10 fours), and Sadeera Samarawickrama was run out after scoring 73 off 64 balls (9 fours).
At the end of the innings, Charith Asalanka scored 48 not out off 23 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.
Sri Lanka won by 175 runs
In reply, UAE were bowled out for 180 runs (39 overs) as Sri Lanka won their tournament opener by 175 runs. Only the skipper Muhammad Waseem (39), wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind (39) and Ali Naseer (34) reached the 30+ scores.
Wanindu Hasaranga: 8-1-24-6
Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga got six wickets in that game as he ended with the bowling figures of 8-1-24-6.
Here are some important stats of the match:
Without hitting a century, Sri Lanka still scored 355/6 in 50 overs.
Sri Lanka recorded the seventh-highest ODI total without a century.
Highest ODI totals without a century
——————————
All the top five Sri Lankan batters scored 45+ runs in that ODI.
It was the third time in ODI history when the top five batters of a team scored 45+ runs in an innings. In fact, the other two times, all five batters scored 50+ runs.
Top five batters scored 45+ runs in the same ODI innings
——————————-
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga had bowling figures of 8-1-24-6.
Hasaranga recorded the second-best ODI bowling figures by a spinner in the ICC competition history (only ODI records).
The joint-ninth best ODI bowling figures by a spinner.
The third best ODI bowling figures by a Sri Lankan spinner.
The sixth best ODI bowling figures by a Sri Lankan bowler.
——————————-
Sri Lanka won the match by 175 runs.
It was Sri Lanka’s fourth largest ODI win (by runs) in the neutral venue.
Sri Lanka’s largest ODI wins in the neutral venues
It was Sri Lanka’s ninth biggest ODI win (by runs) outside the home venue.
It was Lanka’s 15th largest ODI win (by runs).