Heavyweights India lifted the Asia Cup after routing defending champions Sri Lanka by 10 wickets with Mohammed Siraj claiming a career-best 6-21, including four wickets in one over, at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, Siraj became the first Indian bowler to take a 5-wicket haul in the finals of Asia Cup tournament. Siraj had figures of 5 for 5 in his first 3 overs as he came up with a sensational spell of fast bowling, swinging the ball both ways at the R Premadasa Stadium. He also became the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over.
Thanks to Siraj’s brilliance, SL were bundled out for 50 runs
Siraj also became only the 2nd Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to take a 5-wicket haul in a major tournament final. The right-arm pacer also missed out on a hat-trick opportunity but scalped a wicket on the very next ball scalp four wickets in an over against Lanka.
“No biryani here. Have been bowling well since a long time. Was missing the edges earlier. But found them today. The wicket was seaming earlier, but there was swing today. Thought that I will bowl fuller because of the swing. When there’s good bonding between fast bowlers, it’s helpful for the team. I was thinking it would be great if I could stop the boundary. My best spell. This cash prize goes to the groundsmen. This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them,” Siraj said at the post match-presentation.
Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out to the lowest total in Asia Cup history. Their 50/10 against India is also Lanka’s second lowest total in the ODI history. Apart from Siraj, Hardik Pandya (Three) and Jasprit Bumrah (One) were also amongst the wickets. This was the second time when all the wickets were taken by the pacers in Asia Cup 2023. Earlier, Pakistani pacers bowled out India in Men in Blue’s first match of the competition.
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