NZ vs SL 2024-25: Maheesh Theekshana becomes seventh Sri Lankan to bag ODI hattrick

Maheesh Theekshana scripted history in the second ODI of the ongoing series against New Zealand by claiming a hattrick. The coveted feat came across separate overs. The right-arm off-break's figures read 6-0-37-1 by the completion of the 30th over in a game which reduced to 37-overs-a-side.  

The previous over before Theekshana was introduced for his seventh had been dispatched for 16 runs. However, pulled things back for Sri Lanka in some style. The first delivery went for a boundary, missing everyone. Theekshana came back brilliantly by varying his pace and trajectory in the subsequent three deliveries to limit the Kiwi batters to three singles. 

All three of Theekshana's dismissals were aided by his side's fielders. The first wicket, that of Santner's, was a splendid grab at deep-cover while Nathan Smith, who was dismissed on a carrom ball, was caught over point as Kamindu Mendis completed a good diving catch. Theekshana returned to bowl the final over of the innings and completed the hattrick set with the help of another good effort in the deep by substitude fielder Fernando as Matt Henry miscued another carrom ball.

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Theekshana conceded only four runs in the remainder of the deliveries to follow as New Zealand were limited to 255 at the end of the innings. 

This is the first hattrick in ODIs since Zimbabwe's Wessly Madhevere registered one in March 2023. Only Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga have documented more than one hattrick in the 50-over format. In fact, two of Malinga's three hattrics came in 2011. Theekshana is now the seventh Sri Lankan to bag an ODI hattrick.  

Sri Lankan bowlers with ODI hat-tricks

List of men's ODI hat-tricks