NEW DELHI: Adam Zampa achieved a remarkable feat by equalling the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan's record for the most wickets by a spinner in a single edition of the World Cup.
Zampa concluded his ICC ODI World Cup 2023 campaign with a total of 23 wickets from 11 matches, matching Muralitharan's record set in 2007, where the Sri Lankan spinner took 23 wickets from 10 matches.
Zampa's performance in the final match was notable, finishing with figures of 10-0-44-1. This accomplishment places him alongside Muralitharan, with Brad Hogg (2007) and Shahid Afridi (2011) following closely in the second spot on the list, each with 21 wickets.
In addition to this World Cup record, Zampa also made history by becoming the first overseas bowler to reach the milestone of 50 wickets in ODIs on Indian soil. It took him 27 matches to achieve this landmark.
Despite facing a challenging moment in the tournament with a wicketless performance in Australia's defeat to India in Chennai, Zampa showcased resilience and made a sensational turnaround.
One of the highlights of Zampa's campaign was his remarkable comeback against Sri Lanka, where, after initially struggling, he staged a comeback with figures of 20 wickets at an impressive average of 9.66 from 69 overs.
A turning point came in a crucial match against Sri Lanka, where Zampa's four-wicket haul displayed his ability to influence games. This marked the beginning of a historic streak, making him the first player in ODI World Cup history to consistently take three wickets or more in the following four games.
Zampa concludes the ODI World Cup as the second leading wicket-taker, further solidifying his impact on the tournament with his exceptional bowling performance.
(With IANS inputs)
