Sri Lanka secure ODI series after Hasaranga career best  

On his comeback to international cricket, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga picked up career best figures of seven for 19 as Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to secure the three match series 2-0 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

In a game that was severely affected by rain and reduced to 27 overs, Zimbabwe were shot out for just 96 runs inside 23 overs as Sri Lanka’s star bowler troubled  the batters.  Sri Lanka chased down the target with eight wickets in hand in 16.4 overs

Zimbabwe had got off to a good start reaching 43 for no loss but the introduction of Hasaranga proved to be disastrous for the visitors as he struck in his first over.  Hasaranga had two more wickets in his second over as Zimbabwe slumped to 47 for three after being 43 for none.  Four Zimbabwe batters were trapped leg before wicket by Hasaranga and most of them had no clue about his googly.

Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury in July last year and was forced to undergo surgery which meant that he missed last year’s World Cup.  In his comeback game, the crafty spin bowler proved what Sri Lanka had been missing during the sprot’s showpiece event.

Hasaranga’s seven for 19 is now the best figures at R. Premadasa Stadium improving on Angelo Mathews’ six for 20 against India in 2009.  It’s also the second best figures ever by a Sri Lankan in ODI cricket behind Chaminda Vaas’ eight for 19, also against Zimbabwe in 2001.

Hasaranga was drafted into the game in place of leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and he went onto pick up his fourth five wicket haul.

Hasaranga, who will captain Sri Lanka in the T-20 series that will follow, received a standing ovation as he walked off the field.

Sri Lanka did two changes for the game handing ODI debut to the 19-year-old opening batsman Shevon Daniel. He made 12.

Captain Kusal Mendis posted an unbeaten half-century and was involved in a 73 run stand with Daniel for the second wicket as Sri Lanka cruised to a comfortable win with 62 deliveries to spare.  Mendis raced to his half-century in 37 deliveries, his 27^th 50 in ODIs.

Sri Lanka secured the series 2-0. The first game was washed out due to rain while the hosts secured a hard fought two wicket win in the second ODI.

The three match T-20 series starts on Sunday with Colombo hosting all games.

Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe 96 in 22.5 overs (Joylord Gumbie 29; Wanindu Hasaranga 7-19) lost to Sri Lanka 97/2 in 16.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 66*) by 8 wickets