NEW DELHI: Star Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj ripped apart Sri Lanka batting line-up, grabbing his maiden five-wicket haul in one-day internationals (ODI) during the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo on Sunday.
Siraj’s career-best figures of 6/21 brought Sri Lanka down to their knees in just the first six overs of the match by picking up a fifer. With this, Siraj equalled the feat of former Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas for the fastest ODI five-wicket haul, achieving this remarkable feat in a mere 16 deliveries.Siraj reached a significant milestone by taking his 50th ODI wicket in his 29th ODI appearance. This achievement is a testament to his skill and consistency as a bowler. Notably, he now shares the fourth position in the list of the fastest Indian bowlers to achieve this milestone.
“Feels like a dream. Last time I did the same against Sri Lanka at Trivandrum. Got four wickets early, couldn’t get the five-for. Realise you get what’s in your destiny,” Siraj said while talking to the official broadcaster in the mid-innings break.
“Did not try too much today. I have always looked for swing in white-ball cricket. Did not find much in the previous games. But today it was swinging, and I got more wickets with the outswinger. Wanted to make the batters drive,” Siraj added.

The right-arm pacer Siraj made an immediate impact by dismissing Pathum Nissanka on the very first delivery of the second over of the match. Ravindra Jajeda contributed to the early breakthrough with an exceptional diving catch, diving to his right and securing the ball with both hands.
Siraj continued his impressive spell by trapping Sadeera Samarawickrama leg before wicket, securing his second wicket in the same over. Moments later, Charith Asalanka fell victim to Siraj’s bowling prowess, with Ishan Kishan taking a remarkable catch at covers. This put Siraj on the brink of a hat-trick, though he narrowly missed achieving it.

However, Siraj didn’t let up and concluded the over with the dismissal of Dhananjaya de Silva, further denting Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. At this point, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious position, struggling at 12/5 after just four overs.
The highlight of the day came when Siraj managed to claim the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, completing his first-ever five-wicket haul in ODIs. Siraj’s exceptional performance left the cricketing world in awe, as he finished with astonishing figures of 6/21 in just seven overs.