ODI WC Qualifier: Hasaranga’s third consecutive five-for, Karunaratne’s hundred puts Sri Lanka in Super Six stage

Bulawayo, June 25 (IANS) Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga picked his third consecutive five-for while opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored a fantastic hundred to put Sri Lanka in the Super Six Stage of Men’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers with a thumping 133-run win over Ireland in their Group B match at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s win also takes Scotland and Oman through to the Super Six stage while Ireland join UAE in being knocked out of contention. Karunaratne’s 103, his maiden ODI hundred, and 82 from Sadeera Samawickrama, as well as 42 not out from Dhananjaya de Silva took Sri Lanka to 325 in 49.5 overs, their second 300+ total of the tournament.

Hasaranga took over by spinning a web around Ireland’s batters to pick 5/79. He was supported by other bowlers chipping in to bowl out Ireland for 192 in 31 overs. Hasaranga has now become the second player after Pakistan fast bowling great Waqar Younis to take three consecutive five-wicket hauls in history of ODIs, as Sri Lanka outshined Ireland in all aspects of the game.

Pushed into batting first, Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka put up a 48-run opening stand before the latter fell to a mistimed pull against Barry McCarthy. The very next ball, McCarthy got one to angle in and trapped Kusal Mendis lbw for a golden duck, as Sri Lanka were 58/2 at the end of ten overs.

With Samarawickrama giving him company, Karunaratne brought up his fifty during their mammoth third-wicket stand of 168 off 159 balls, also his third consecutive half-century of the tournament. Samarawickrama then brought up his half-century in the 22nd over, even as the duo brought up their century stand off 90 balls.

What also helped Sri Lanka was Ireland being sloppy in the fielding department, including a dropping some catches. Though Gareth Delany accounted for Samarawickrama in the 36th over, Karunaratne brought up his maiden ODI century, before being castled by Mark Adair for 103 in the 38th over.

Charith Asalanka (38) and de Silva (42 not out) played important knocks towards the end, but Sri Lanka’s tail failed to wag as they fell way short of 350, which seemed a strong possibility when Karunaratne and Samarawickrama were at the crease.

In the chase, Ireland lost openers Paul Stirling (6) and Andy McBrine (17) in the first ten overs. Post that, Hasaranga struck in his very first over to remove Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka followed up with the wicket of Lorcan Tucker, leaving the Ireland chase in limbo. Harry Tector (33) and Curtis Campher (39) provided some hope to Ireland, so as George Dockrell (26 not out).

But their dismissals, followed by the tailenders falling quickly meant Hasaranga and Sri Lanka proved yet again why they are a team to beat in the competition with another comprehensive win.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 325 all out in 49.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 103, Sadeera Samarawickrama 82; Mark Adair 4/46, Barry McCarthy 3/56) beat Ireland 192 all out in 31 overs (Curtis Campher 39, Harry Tector 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/79, Maheesh Theekshana 2/29) by 133 runs

IANS