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The cricket world stood in awe as India’s fiery pace bowler Mohammed Siraj etched his name into the annals of cricket history during the Asia Cup 2023 Final against Sri Lanka. Siraj showcased a spellbinding display of pace and precision in the contest that left the cricket fraternity erupting with excitement. The 29-year-old bowler claimed a sensational five-wicket haul in the blink of an eye within the three-over spell, equalling the legendary Chaminda Vaas‘ record for the quickest ODI fifer.
The collapse of Sri Lanka
The day had begun with Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bat first. However, what followed was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle. Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled, with wickets falling like a house of cards. Kusal Perera‘s early dismissal marked the beginning of a cataclysmic collapse for the Sri Lankan side. By the time they reached 12 runs on the scoreboard, six wickets had already fallen, and it was𝄹 evident that somet🦹hing extraordinary was unfolding.
The Siraj Show
What made this collapse even more remarkable was that five of these wickets were claimed by the relentless Siraj. The Hyderabad-born cricketer started off with a mesmerizing spell of fast bowling, and the statistics tell the story itself as his five-wicket haul came within a mere 16 balls, equalling Vaas’ record that had stood since 2003. Notably, the Sri Lanka veteran had achieved the feat against Bangladesh.
In a spell that will be remembered for years to come, four wickets for Siraj came in a single over, making him the first Indian bowler to achieve this feat in ODI cricket. This over left the Sri Lankan camp in shambles, struggling to come to terms with the sheer brilliance of Siraj’s bowling.
Siraj’s performance not only catapulted India into a commanding position in the Asia Cup 2023 Final but also sent shockwaves through the cricketing world
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The reactions from veteran cricketers and experts
As news of Siraj’s incredible performance spread like wildfire, the cricketing fraternity erupted in celebration. Many veteran cricketers, including the likes of Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Wasim Jaffer, took to social media to laud the pace sensation. They praised his relentless aggression, his ability to swing the ball both ways and his impeccable line and length.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Alexa, what’s the weather like today? ☀️”
“Alexa: Sorry, the forecast is Siraj’s spell – unpredictable! 🌧️🏏— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Mohd Siraj is turning the Asia Cup fina🥂ls into a thriller with his incredible bowling performance, taking down 5 important wickets! Great goiওng brother @mdsirajoffical 🏏🇮🇳
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
"Ok Google, play Mohd Siraj"
"Sorry, Mohd Siraj is unplayable!"— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
5 wickets in 16 balls! This is like a fantasy play🍷i༺ng out for Mohd Siraj.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Amazing!
Incredible!
Unbelievable!Siraj: The Sensation.🔥
— Awanish Sharan 🇮🇳 (@AwanishSharan)
Mohammad Siraj 🐼you have rocked our World. Football scorecard in a cricket match.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
IND v SL 2008 Asia Cup final: Ajanta Mendis 6/13
IND v SL 2023 Asia Cup🐠 final: Mohammed Siraj 6/13 so farRohit Sharma only player from bo🐻th team to be part of the game.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
MOHAMMAD SIRAJ – YOU FREAKIN LEGEND….!!!!
4 wickets in a single over by Siraj – this is absolute mayhem!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Mohammed Siraj talking 4 wickets in 1 over
— Sagar (@sagarcasm)
FIVE WICKET HAUL BY MOHAMMAD SIRAJ IN JUST 16 BALLS….!!!
A spell of 5/4 in 2.4 overs – this is a historical spell!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Mohamme💎d Siraj in the Powerplay in the Asia 🍸Cup final:
0,0,0,0,0,0 – 1st over
W,0,W,W,4,W – 2nd over
0,0,0,W,0,1 – 3rd over
1,0,0,0,0,0 – 4th over
0,1,0,0,0,0 – 5th overOne of the Greatest spells ever in ODI history,M🐷iyann🔥 🌳
— VINEETH𓃵🦖 (@sololoveee)
FIVE WICKET HAUL FOR SIRAJ IN THE ASIA CUP FINAL.
– THE GOAT SPELL.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)