Now Reading: Dilshan Madushanka Skittles Pakistan With Record ODI Figures for Sri Lanka
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Dilshan Madushanka Skittles Pakistan With Record ODI Figures for Sri Lanka
Dilshan Madushanka Skittles Pakistan With Record ODI Figures for Sri Lanka
Dilshan Madushanka picked the perfect stage for a comeback. Days after a punishing outing against England, the Sri Lanka left-armer tore through Pakistan’s batting in Lahore, finishing with career-best figures of 5-34 and bowling the hosts out for just 110 in match five of the ODI Tri-Series 2026.
Madushanka Turns the Tables in Lahore
Pakistan came into the contest at the Gaddafi Stadium unbeaten. Sri Lanka needed a spark, and Madushanka delivered it with the new ball.
The speedster struck early, removing Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig inside the first 10 overs. That double blow shook the hosts and set the tone for a collapse.
Cleaning Up the Tail
Madushanka then returned to mop up the Pakistan tail and complete his second ODI five-wicket haul. He finished with 5-34 from 8.3 overs, and the home side folded for 110.
The performance came on Tuesday, October 27. It was only his second five-wicket haul in 34 ODIs for Sri Lanka, after just one in his previous 33 matches.
A Spell That Rewrites His Career Numbers
At 26, Madushanka now owns the best bowling figures of his ODI career. The spell eclipses his 5-80 against India at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in Mumbai.
| Figures | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/34 | Pakistan | Lahore | 2026 |
| 5/80 | India | Wankhede | 2023 |
| 4/49 | Netherlands | Lucknow | 2023 |
| 4/62 | Zimbabwe | Harare | 2025 |
The gap between his two five-fers tells its own story. This one came with better control and far less damage on the scoreboard.
Records Fall for Sri Lanka
The haul did more than rescue an evening. It also put Madushanka in some rare company.
Best Sri Lanka Figures in Lahore
His 5-34 is the best ODI return by any Sri Lanka bowler in Lahore. Overall, it ranks him fourth among all bowlers with the best ODI figures in the city.
| Figures | Bowler | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/49 | Lance Klusener (South Africa) | Sri Lanka | 1997 |
| 5/10 | Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) | New Zealand | 2003 |
| 5/17 | Umar Gul (Pakistan) | Bangladesh | 2003 |
| 5/34 | Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) | Pakistan | 2026 |
| 5/44 | Craig McDermott (Australia) | Pakistan | 1987 |
Joint-Third Against Pakistan
Madushanka also drew level with former captain Lasith Malinga. Their 5-34 marks the joint-third best figures by a Sri Lanka fast bowler in an ODI against Pakistan.
Thisara Perera still holds the top spot with a six-wicket haul in Pallekele back in 2012.
| Figures | Bowler | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/44 | Thisara Perera | Pallekele | 2012 |
| 5/32 | Rumesh Ratnayake | Sharjah | 1990 |
| 5/34 | Lasith Malinga | Dambulla | 2010 |
| 5/34 | Dilshan Madushanka | Lahore | 2026 |
| 5/39 | Ashantha de Mel | Leeds | 1983 |
Redemption After the England Hammering
The timing makes the story even better. Just a few days earlier in Rawalpindi, Madushanka went wicketless and conceded 89 runs from his 10 overs as England piled up 429-4.
That kind of outing can dent confidence. Instead, the left-arm quick bounced back in emphatic fashion and dismantled the Pakistan batting order.
Why It Matters for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka now has a clear lift in the Tri-Series, and Pakistan’s unbeaten run has been halted in dramatic style. Bowling out a host side for 110 on their own turf is a statement.
For Madushanka, it is a reminder of what he can do when the new ball swings his way. Consistency remains the next challenge, but this spell shows the ceiling is high.
What Comes Next
Pakistan will have plenty to think about after such a sharp collapse. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will lean on the momentum from a spell that mixed pace, precision and plenty of timely breakthroughs.
Expect Madushanka to carry the new ball with fresh confidence as the Tri-Series heats up. One redemption spell has already rewritten parts of the Sri Lanka record book.
