5 times opening bowlers bowled 10 overs on the trot

Farveez Maharoof

Farveez Maharoof

Farveez Maharoof was only 19 when he made his debut for Sri Lanka in 2004. The experts noticed enough potential in him and thought him to be good enough to become a great all-rounder for Sri Lanka. Maharoof couldn't quite live up to the expectations placed on him, but he did produce some magnificent performances over the last decade or so.

The first of them came in the Indian Oil Cup in 2005. India and West Indies were the teams competing in the tri-series, besides the hosts Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka won their first match against India and started as firm favourites in their second match against West Indies.

Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara scored half-centuries to take the Sri Lankan total to a respectable 241 for 6 at the end of the their allotted 50 overs.

Maharoof and Dilhara Lokuhettige opened the bowling for Sri Lanka. Maharoof conceded 3 runs from his first five balls but his next twenty-two balls were dots. Maharoof was pitching the ball on the right spots with such consistency that Atapattu decided to let him bowl his full quota on the trot.

He finished with figures of 3 for 9 from his 10 overs. He dismissed Xavier Marshall, Ryan Ramdass and Ricardo Powell. West Indies were dismissed for 191 as Sri Lanka won by a handsome margin of 50 runs.

Sri Lanka went on to win the tournament by beating India in the final.