In the Asia Cup 2023 final at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka recorded its second-lowest ODI total in history.
After winning the toss, Dasun Shanaka’s team decided to bat first but collapsed dramatically, managing only 50 runs in 15.2 overs. This score marked the lowest ever in men’s Asia Cup ODIs, surpassing the previous record set by Bangladesh, who scored only 87 runs against Pakistan in 2000. Sri Lanka’s previous lowest total in 50-over cricket was in 2012 when they were dismissed for a mere 43 runs in 20.1 overs, leading to a massive 258-run defeat.
Brutal display of bowling by India 💥
Sri Lanka are all out for 50 in the #AsiaCup2023 Final.
📝: https://t.co/iP9YDGLp8W pic.twitter.com/PnrW3Id8Dx
— ICC (@ICC) September 17, 2023
Mohammed Siraj delivered a remarkable performance, claiming astonishing figures of 6 wickets for just 21 runs to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting lineup, leaving them reeling at a mere 50 runs in the Asia Cup final held on a Sunday.
also read: Muhammad Siraj’s Record-breaking ODI Bowling
Despite the heavily overcast conditions, Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss, causing a delay of 40 minutes from the scheduled 3 PM start time. However, what followed was a storm of a different kind, courtesy of Mohammed Siraj. His spell forced Sri Lanka to bat for only 15.2 overs, resulting in their lowest ODI total against India.
How good was THAT spell? 😱
Wicket by wicket, Mohammed Siraj produced one of the best displays by an Indian bowler 💪https://t.co/KoBLVB7Uny
— ICC (@ICC) September 17, 2023
In a historic feat, Siraj became only the fourth bowler in ODI history to take four wickets in a single over, and he equaled the record of former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas as the fastest to achieve a five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.
Beyond the statistical achievements, Siraj’s bowling displayed a level of finesse that went beyond mere numbers. He sprang into action after Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Kusal Perera with a routine caught-behind catch in the third ball of the first over.
Hardik Pandya wraps up the innings with the final two wickets! 👏👏
Sri Lanka are all out for 50 in the first innings.
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/xrKl5d85dN#TeamIndia | #INDvSL | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/BBNXmebIel
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2023
Despite conditions that resembled more of London than Colombo, Siraj demonstrated impeccable accuracy in his bowling.
Siraj’s devastating spell unfolded in the fourth over, where he took wickets on the deliveries numbered 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.6. His victims included Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samaraiwickrama, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya De Silva.
Nissanka attempted to place the ball but misjudged it, resulting in a fantastic tumbling catch by Ravindra Jadeja at point.
Samarawickrma struggled to handle a delivery that swung in after pitching, and the umpire swiftly upheld Siraj’s leg-before-wicket appeal.
In the very next ball, left-handed Asalanka, with poor footwork, pushed at a fuller delivery from Siraj, leading to an easy catch by Ishan Kishan at covers.
7⃣-1⃣-2⃣1⃣-6⃣
It was a SPELL! 🪄
The many moods of a captivating Mohd. Siraj bowling display! 👏 👏#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvSL | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/1yCj5LxSsy
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2023
Although De Silva managed to avoid a hat-trick, he succumbed to the next delivery as he pushed away from his body, resulting in an easy catch by KL Rahul behind the stumps.
But Siraj wasn’t finished yet; he went on to dismiss Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis with exceptional deliveries, leaving the Sri Lankan innings in tatters.
Once Siraj completed his remarkable spell, there was little resistance left in the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Hardik Pandya added the finishing touches by taking three wickets to seal India’s dominance in the match.