Sri Lanka made their One-day international debut on 13th February 1975. Since their debut, they played a total of 912 matches as of 11th January 2024. Out of the 912 matches, Sri Lanka has won 417, lost 450 and 5 tied fixtures at a win percentage of 45.72.
Sri Lanka thrashed Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the 3rd One-day international match played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 11th January. Hasranga produced a magical spell on his ODI return with figures of 7 for 19 in 5.5 overs to bowl out the visitors for just 96 in a rain-curtailed match.
5 best bowling figures by Sri Lankan bowlers in ODIs:
- Chaminda Vaas – 8/19
Chaminda Vaas still holds the record for best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan bowler in One-day international cricket. He achieved this remarkable feat in 1st match of a series match against Zimbabwe on 8th December 2001 at SSC, Colombo.
Vaas looked impressive with his bowling efforts in this match against Zimbabwe. He got off to a perfect start dismissing Dion Ebrahim off the very first ball. The left pace bowler then dismissed Grant and Andy Flower off successive deliveries to leave Zimbabwe in trouble. During his magical spell, he took hattrick getting wickets of Stuart Carlise, Craig Wishart and Tatenda Taibu. It was a sensational bowling effort as Vaas finished with figures of 8 for 19 in 8 overs to dismiss Zimbabwe out cheaply for just 38 runs.
For his superb bowling effort, he was named the player of the match. Sri Lanka won the match comfortably by 9 wickets with 274 balls to spare.
- Wanidnu Hasranga- 7/19
The star leg spinner Wanidu Hasranga made a grand return to the playing XI after recovering from an injury. He was simply outstanding with his bowling picking up 7 for 19 in 5.5 overs during the 3rd One-day international match against Zimbabwe on 11th January 2024.
He got the early breakthrough dismissing Kaitano before picking wickets of Gumbie, Craig Ervine, and Milton Shumba before rain stopped play. The match was reduced to 27 overs side before Hasranga dismissed Madande, and Wellington Masakadza and finished with the wicket of Blessing Muzarbani to bowl out Zimbabwe for just 96 in 22.5 overs.
Sri Lanka won the target comfortably winning by 8 wickets. For his match-winning spell, Hasranga was named player of the match award.
- Muttiah Muralitharan- 7/20
The legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan showed his class with figures 7 for 20 in the 6th match of Coca Cola Champions Trophy played at Sharjah Cricket Ground on 27th October 2000.
Muralitharan dismissed well-set Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Hemang Badani, Vijay Dahiya, and Sunil Joshi to bowl out India for 226 in 48.5 overs. Sri Lanka won the match by 68 runs. He finished with figures of 7 for 30 in 10 overs to help them to win it comfortably.
For his match-winning spell, Muttiah Muralitharan was named the player of the match. Sri Lanka posted 294 for 5.
- Ajantha Mendis- 6/13
The mystery Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis produced a magical spell with figures of 6 for 13 in the finals of the 2008 Asia Cup played at National Stadium, Karachi. It was a sensational bowling effort by Mendis who blew away the strong Indian batting lineup.
Thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya’s 125 and TM Dilshan’s half-century, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 273. Ajantha Mendis was bought into the attack getting the wicket of Virender Sehwag. He then broke the backbone of Indian batting dismissing Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh to bowl them out for 173. Mendis finished with figures of 6 for 13 in 8 overs.
Ajantha Mendis created havoc with his variations, especially carrom deliveries. For his match-winning spell, he was named the player of the match.
- Farveez Maharoof- 6/14
The Sri Lankan medium pace bowler Farveez Maharoof was at his best with figures of 6 for 14 in the ICC Champions Trophy match at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on 14th October 2006.
Farveez bowled with great control putting the West Indies batters under pressure. He got his first wicket dismissing West Indies captain Brian Lara, Wavell Hinds, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith and Carlton Baugh to bowl out West Indies for just 80 in 30.4 overs.
Sri Lanka won the match by 9 wickets with 220 balls to spare. For his match winning effort, Farveez was named the man of the match award.
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