Wanindu Hasaranga surpasses Lasith Malinga to become the fastest Sri Lankan to 100 T20I wickets
The captain of the Sri Lankan team, Wanindu Hasaranga, has succeeded in inscribing his name in the annals of Sri Lankan history once more, surpassing the renowned pacemaker Lasith Malinga to establish a new record in the abbreviated format.
Hasaranga has traversed a considerable distance since his debut. Now at the helm in the T20I format, he has elevated his performances. He secured two wickets in the second encounter against Afghanistan, propelling him to become the quickest Sri Lankan bowler to achieve 100 T20I wickets, only second to achieve this milestone in Sri Lankan cricket. He accomplished this feat in a mere 63 matches, outpacing Lasith Malinga, who achieved the same in 76 matches.
FASTEST TO 100 T20I WICKETS
| Rank | Name | Team | Matches to 100 T20I Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan | AFG | 53 |
| 2 | Wanindu Hasaranga | SL | 63 |
| 3 | Mark Adair | IRE | 72 |
| 4 | Lasith Malinga | SL | 76 |
| 5 | Ish Sodhi | NZ | 78 |
| 6 | Mustafizur Rahman | BAN | 81 |
| 7 | Shakib-al-Hasan | BAN | 84 |
| 8 | Tim Southee | NZ | 84 |
| 9 | Shadab Khan | PAK | 87 |
| 10 | Mitchell Santner | NZ | 90 |
He also secures the second-fastest position in the history of T20I wickets, trailing only behind the Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who is presently sidelined due to injury. Hasaranga has staged a remarkable comeback since his injury-induced absence from the 50-over World Cup in 2023.
The leg-spinner now joins the elite ranks as the eleventh player in the history of the T20I format to surpass the 100-wicket mark. Despite being 26 years old, Hasaranga anticipates a prolonged career and strives to sustain his excellent form with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Hasaranga has proven himself as a versatile performer, particularly in the Lanka Premier League. Steering the B-Love Kandy side, he concluded the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 279 runs in 9 innings and claimed the highest number of wickets, 19 in 10 innings, showcasing a comprehensive dominance.
In the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, the skipper has exhibited commendable performances, notably a pivotal 67 off 32 deliveries to bolster his side with the bat.
Sri Lanka will continue to rely on Hasaranga’s dual proficiency in batting and bowling, with the World Cup in sight, aspiring to stage a comeback and secure their second T20 World Cup.
The Lankans are poised to confront Afghanistan in the final match of the three-game T20I series, with the hosts aiming to achieve a clean sweep, replicating their success in the preceding encounters.
