NZ vs SL: Maheesh Theekshana bags ODI hat-trick, joins Vaas, Malinga in elite list

Maheesh Theekshana became the seventh Sri Lankan bowler to take a hat-trick in one-day international cricket when he achieved the feat in the second ODI of a three-match series against New Zealand in Hamilton on Wednesday, January 8. Theekshana completed the hat-trick across two overs in a rain-affected match at Seddon Park. | NZ vs SL: Full Scorecard | 

Maheesh Theekshana dismissed New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry to claim the hat-trick. He got two wickets in the last two deliveries of the 35th over and returned to complete his hat-trick with the wicket of Henry in the first delivery of the 37th over. 

NZ vs SL, 2nd ODI Updates

Maheesh Theekshana finished with figures of 44 for 4 in 8 overs. Despite his efforts with the ball, New Zealand posted 255 for 9 in just 37 overs. The match was reduced to 37 overs-per-side after a delayed start due to rain.

Theekshana became the first Sri Lankan bowler in six years to take an ODI hat-trick. 

SRI LANKAN BOWLERS WITH ODI HAT-TRICKS

- Chaminda Vaas: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 2001, Colombo
- Chaminda Vaas: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 2003, Pietermaritzburg  
- Lasith Malinga: Sri Lanka v South Africa, 2007, Guyana  
- Farveez Maharoof: Sri Lanka v India, 2010, Dambulla  
- Lasith Malinga: Sri Lanka v Kenya, 2011, Colombo (RPS)  
- Lasith Malinga: Sri Lanka v Australia, 2011, Colombo (RPS)  
- Thisara Perera: Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2012, Colombo (RPS)  
- Wanindu Hasaranga: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 2017, Galle  
- Dushmantha Madushanka: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 2018, Dhaka  
- Maheesh Theekshana: Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 2024, Hamilton  

New Zealand rode on Rachin Ravindra's 63-ball 79 and Mark Chapman's 52-ball 62 to post a daunting total. Sri Lanka's top-order was blown away as the visitors were 22 for 4 in the first five overs.