Mendis joins a select band of players who have claimed six wickets or more

Chris DHAMBARAGE from Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s new spin sensation Ajantha Mendis was able to enter his name in the record books following his match winning performance in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) six nation tournament final against India played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

Mendis returned career best figures of six wickets for 13 runs from eight overs as India were dismissed for 173 runs while chasing Sri Lanka’s formidable total of 273 runs.

The 23 year old wrist spinner was able to join a select band of players to have claimed six wickets or more in an innings in a one day international. Mendis’ effort in fact was the ninth best ever figures and also the third best by a Sri Lankan bowler.

The best bowling figures of course is held by Sri Lankan left arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas who has 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place in 2001. Mendis also established another record by capturing 17 wickets in this tournament.

This effort surpassed the previous best of 14 wickets held by Irfan Pathan of India during the 2004 Asia Cup tournament staged in Colombo.