- By Ankit Bisht
- Sun, 17 Sep 2023 05:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India pacer Mohammed Siraj bowled a cracking opening spell against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final to attain his best bowling figures in the ODIs at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
Siraj bagged a six-wicket haul in his seven-over spell as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50 in 15.2 overs in the title clash. Siraj spilled fire from the word go as he bowled a maiden in his first over followed by a rare four-wicket over to dismantle Sri Lanka's batting line-up completely.
Siraj also matched the quickest five-wicket haul feat in the ODIs by completing the milestone in just 16 balls. Interestingly, he equalled former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas' record which he achieved against Bangladesh in 2003.
He also bettered his personal best bowling figures and became the fourth Indian bowler after Anil Kumble, Stuart Binny and Jasprit Bumrah to scalp six wickets in an ODI match for Men in Blue.
On his magical performance against Sri Lanka, Siraj said it is a 'dream' spell for him after missing the opportunity previously in Trivandrum earlier this year.
ALSO READ: Mohammed Siraj Equals Record Of Fastest Fifer In ODIs, Reaches 50 Wickets In Format
"Feels like a dream. Last time I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, could not get the five-for. Realised you get what is in your destiny. Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive," Siraj said at the mid-innings break.
Apart from Siraj's six wickets, Hardik Pandya bagged three wickets and Jasprit Bumrah clinched one scalp.
For the second time in the Asia Cup history, all ten wickets were bagged by pacers. Earlier, Pakistan pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah took all wickets against India in their group stage encounter in this edition of the tournament.
It was also the lowest total by any team against India in the ODI final.
50 SL vs Ind Colombo RPS 2023 *
54 Ind vs SL Sharjah 2000
78 SL vs Pak Sharjah 2002
81 Oman vs Namibia Windhoek 2019
