ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier: Karunaratne, Hasaranga star in Sri Lanka's 133-run hammering of Ireland

Wanindu Hasaranga completed a hat-trick of five-fors in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier as Sri Lanka thrashed Ireland by 133 runs in Sunday’s Group B fixture in Bulawayo. Besides Hasaranga’s exploits with the ball, senior opener Dimuth Karunaratne too contributed to the Lankan victory at the Queen’s Sports Club with a run-a-ball 103 that earned him the Player of the Match award. Karunaratne’s ton helped Sri Lanka recover from a shaky start while Hasaranga’s third five-for on the trot ensured Ireland were shot out for 192 in reply as the 1996 world champions remained firmly on top of Group B, having already secured their place in the Super Sixes.

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Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates his third consecutive five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka advances to the Super Six! 🎉🏏#LionsRoar #SLvIRE #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/riUZGMRQge

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 25, 2023

Hasaranga, who had registered figures of 6/24 and 5/13 against UAE and Oman respectively in Sri Lanka’s previous outings, collecting his third five-for in a row and emulating the feat that has been achieved in ODI history just once before this game — by Waqar Younis in 1990. Waqar had collected figures of 5/11 and 5/16 against New Zealand on 4 and 6 November before collecting 5/52 against West Indies on the 9th of that month. Earlier Karunaratne mounted a rescue along with Sadeera Samarawickrama with a solid third-wicket partnership worth 168 after seamer Barry McCarthy struck twice in as many deliveries to reduce Sri Lanka to 48/2 in the ninth over. McCarthy, who replaced spinner Ben White in the only change across the two sides, got opener Pathum Nissanka caught at midwicket before trapping wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis LBW for a golden duck. Karunaratne and Samarawickrama steadied the ship after the twin strike and managed to tilt the game back in Sri Lanka’s favour. Karunaratne, who struck eight fours during his knock, had not played white-ball cricket for Sri Lanka for over two years until being recalled for the home series against Afghanistan earlier this month. The century however, suggests he firmly remains in Sri Lanka’s plans heading into the World Cup this year. Wrist spinner Delaney struck twice in as many overs to remove both set batters Samarawickrama and Karunaratne towards the end of the second powerplay. Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 not out) too chipped in with valuable contributions and could have taken Sri Lanka past the 50-mark. A late collapse however, resulted in Sri Lanka losing their last five wickets for 26 runs. McMullen, Greaves help Scotland complete hat-trick of wins In the other match that took place at the Bulawayo Athletic Club not far from QSC, Scotland restricted Oman to 244/9 after posting a challenging 320 on the board to also complete a hat-trick of victories in the ongoing Qualifier for the 2023 Cricket World Cup that takes place in India later this year. Batting all-rounder Brandon McMullen top-scored for Scotland with a scintillating 136, and stitched a 138-run third-wicket stand with fellow South African-born Irish cricketer Richie Berrington, who chipped in with a 62-ball 60. McMullen was finally removed by 35-year-old seamer Bilal Khan, who finished the pick of the Oman attack with 5/55.

That maiden 5️⃣-for feeling 🤩#FollowScotland pic.twitter.com/1ddCWpLMyi

— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) June 25, 2023

Khan, though, wouldn’t be the only bowler collecting a five-wicket haul in the match as Chris Greaves 5/53 ensured the Omani batting was never in the hunt. Wicketkeeper-batter Naseem Khushi chipped in with an attacking 69 off 53 deliveries and ensured Oman got within touching distance of the 250-mark in the end. Read all the  Latest News,  Trending News,  Cricket News,  Bollywood News, India News and  Entertainment News here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.