Wanindu Hasaranga, renowned for his match-winning spells across formats, became the fastest bowler to take 300 wickets in T20 cricket on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Sri Lankan leg spinner, set to represent Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2025, achieved the milestone in just 208 matches - three fewer than previous record-holder Andrew Tye of Australia.
Hasaranga also became only the second Sri Lankan cricketer to reach the milestone after legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who ended his career on 390 wickets from 295 T20 matches.
Wanindu Hasaranga boasts a stunning career average of 16.60 in T20 cricket and a stingy economy rate of 6.88. His best bowling figures of 6/9 is one of three five-wicket hauls to his name in the format.
The leg-spinner’s IPL record is equally impressive. In 26 matches, he has taken 35 wickets, including a memorable 5/18 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022.
Playing in the UAE league on Wednesday, Hasaranga delivered yet another spellbinding performance, claiming 3/10 in four overs.
In T20 Internationals (T20Is), Hasaranga is Sri Lanka's all-time leading wicket-taker with 131 scalps and sixth on the all-time list. He is also the current world No. 3 in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings and sixth in the T20I all-rounders’ list.
He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2021 T20 World Cup with 16 dismissals and captained the side in the 2024 edition.
Last month, Hasaranga was one of the nominees for the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of The Year 2024 award. He was the highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket last year, picking up 26 scalps at an average of 15.61.
