NEW DELHI: Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga delivered an outstanding performance, claiming career-best figures of 6/24 as Sri Lanka began their ICC World Cup Qualifier group league campaign with a dominant 175-run victory over the United Arab Emirates in Bulawayo on Monday.
Sri Lanka's top-order batters all contributed with half-centuries, propelling their team to an imposing total of 355/6 in their allotted 50 overs. The late fireworks from Charith Asalanka and Hasaranga further boosted the score, with Hasaranga finishing unbeaten on 23 off just 12 deliveries.
In the UAE's chase, Hasaranga returned to the attack and dismissed three of their top five batters, leading to their eventual collapse as they were bowled out for 180 in 39 overs. In the process of taking six wickets, Hasaranga also reached the milestone of 50 ODI wickets.
During Sri Lanka's innings, Kusal Mendis played a stellar innings, smashing 78 off 63 balls, including 10 boundaries. He formed a crucial 105-run partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama, which set the foundation for Sri Lanka's formidable total.
Mendis was eventually caught by a substitute fielder off Ali Naseer, while Samarawickrama was run out on 73 from 64 deliveries, giving UAE a glimmer of hope to restrict the scoring in the final six overs.
However, Asalanka had different plans, showcasing an exceptional display of finishing by hammering boundaries at will. He remained unbeaten on 48 off just 23 balls. Hasaranga also contributed with three boundaries in the final over, pushing Sri Lanka's score beyond the 350-run mark.
Oman rock Ireland
Oman pulled off a superb run chase to beat Ireland by five wickets in another group match to cause the first upset in the qualifying tournament.
Ireland would have been confident after a flurry of lower-order runs helped them to 281/7 with Harry Tector (52 off 82 balls) and George Dockrell (91 off 89 balls) starring with the bat after Oman elected to bowl.
But the Asian nation chased down the target in style, with half-centuries from Kashyap Prajapati, Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood.
The win came with 11 balls to spare as Mohammad Nadeem (46*), Ayaan Khan (21) and Shoaib Khan (19*) finished it off.
Brief Scores:
(With PTI inputs)
