Vaas bags record 8 for 19
Chaminda Vaas finished with a world
record eight wickets as Sri Lanka dismissed Zimbabwe for 38 runs, the
lowest score ever in one-day internationals, in the tri-series
opener in Colombo on Saturday.
The previous lowest in one-dayers was 43 by Pakistan
against the West Indies at Cape Town in 1993.
It was a superb exhibition of swing bowling by Vaas, who
took a hat-trick in his sixth over.
The left-armer's feat was the first hat-trick by a Sri
Lankan in one-day cricket against Zimbabwe as he claimed a
record eight wickets for 19 runs.
Vaas had captain Stuart Carlisle caught at third-man and
followed it up with a leg before wicket dismissals of Craig
Wishart and young Tatenda Taibu.
Earlier, Vaas struck with the first ball of the Zimbabwe
innings, Dion Ebrahim trapped leg before wicket as the ball
came in.
Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Heath Streak and Mluleki Nkala
were his other victims.
Sri Lanka needed only 4.2 overs to notch up 40 for one for
one of the easiest victories in the game.
Zimbabwe tumbled in just 15.4 overs and 87 minutes, a
score that eclipsed the previous lowest of 43 runs by Pakistan
against West Indies at Cape Town in 1993.
Since the first
match in Australia in 1972, cricket has witnessed 1,176
limited overs matches worldwide.
Vaas exploited the early morning moisture well and swung
the white ball prodigiously to pick up eight for 19 in eight
overs beating Muttiah Muralitharan's previous world record of
seven for 30 against India at Sharjah in 20001.
"I am extremely happy with the hat-trick," Vaas said after
the match. "I have got my rhythm back and I am able to move
the ball better."
Zimbabwe skipper, Stuart Carlisle called the result
"freak."
"It was one of the freak games. I wish it had not
happened," he said.
"We have to look toward tomorrow. All credit goes to
Chaminda Vaas and I am not blaming the pitch for the result."
Vaas's sensational spell started with his first ball which
swung back onto the toe of opener Dion Ebrahim.
Scoreboard:
Zimbabwe
Call India
