Some moments in cricket stay forever and Dilshan Madushanka created one of those in Harare.
In a nail-biting first ODI against Zimbabwe, the left-arm pacer struck a hat-trick in the last over of the game, guiding Sri Lanka to a dramatic seven-run win.
With this, he became only the eighth bowler from his country to claim an ODI hat-trick.
How did Dilshan Madushanka’s hat-trick happen in the final over?
Zimbabwe needed only 10 runs from the last six balls, with in-form Sikandar Raza on strike at 92.
The pressure was high, but Madushanka delivered a perfect low full toss that shattered Raza’s stumps.
The drama didn’t stop there. On the very next ball, Brad Evans attempted a scoop but ended up handing a catch.
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The hat-trick was completed when Richard Ngarava was bowled with a sharp delivery, leaving Zimbabwe stunned and the Sri Lankan camp erupting in joy.
From a tense chase, the match turned completely in Sri Lanka’s favour, thanks to Madushanka’s nerves of steel.
List of Sri Lankan bowlers with ODI hat-tricks
| Year | Player | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Chaminda Vaas | Zimbabwe |
| 2003 | Chaminda Vaas | Bangladesh |
| 2007 | Lasith Malinga | South Africa |
| 2010 | Farveez Maharoof | India |
| 2011 | Lasith Malinga | Kenya |
| 2011 | Lasith Malinga | Australia |
| 2012 | Thisara Perera | Pakistan |
| 2017 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Zimbabwe |
| 2018 | Shehan Madushanka | Bangladesh |
| 2025 | Maheesh Theekshana | New Zealand |
| 2025 | Dilshan Madushanka | Zimbabwe |