AFG *159/6 (48 ov)
ZIM 339/10 (114.5 ov)
Team PaktiaWho is Wanindu Hasaranga?
Wanindu Hasaranga is a Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder who has been ranked the number one T20I bowler in the world. He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2021 T20 World Cup, which included a hat-trick, and he has captained Sri Lanka in T20 cricket.
He bowls quick leg-spin with a hard-to-read googly and attacks batters for wickets rather than containing. He can also hit sixes in the lower middle order.
As Team Paktia's Platinum signing, he joins Noor Ahmad to give Paktia a wrist-spin pairing that could be very hard to score off on slow UAE pitches.
Wanindu has played 97 T20 internationals, 71 ODIs and 4 Tests for Sri Lanka. In T20 internationals he has 810 T20I runs at a strike rate of 125.58 and 159 T20I wickets at an economy of 7.06.
Wanindu Hasaranga's role at Team Paktia
Wanindu is Team Paktia's Platinum signing, the top draft category, with a confirmed fee of $100,000. Platinum players are the headline overseas or star picks, so he is expected to play every game and win matches on his own. Other all-rounders in the squad include Farmanullah Safi, David Wiese, Gerhard Erasmus and Abid Mohammadi.
T20 record explained
With the bat, Wanindu scores at a strike rate of 141.96 in T20 cricket, which is attacking by T20 standards, and averages 17. He has hit 81 sixes and 243 fours, about one six every 2 innings. His best is 77, with 0 hundreds and 9 fifties.
With the ball, Wanindu has taken 345 T20 wickets at an average of 17.46 and an economy rate of 7.02, which is economical for the format. He strikes once every 14.9 balls, has 11 four-wicket and 3 five-wicket hauls, and his best figures are 6/9. He bowls right arm leg spin.
Wanindu Hasaranga batting stats
| Format | M | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All T20s | 245 | 185 | 2,500 | 77 | 17 | 141.96 |
| T20I | 97 | 78 | 810 | 71 | 13.27 | 125.58 |
| ODI | 71 | 58 | 1,142 | 80 | 23.3 | 109.91 |
| Test | 4 | 7 | 196 | 59 | 28 | 86.34 |
| List A | 119 | 100 | 2,070 | 87 | 24.93 | 115.38 |
| First-class | 45 | 77 | 2,670 | 120 | 38.69 | 88.46 |
Wanindu Hasaranga bowling stats
| Format | M | Wkts | Best | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All T20s | 245 | 345 | 6/9 | 17.46 | 7.02 | 14.9 |
| T20I | 97 | 159 | 4/9 | 15.99 | 7.06 | 13.5 |
| ODI | 71 | 113 | 7/19 | 24.84 | 5.09 | 29.2 |
| Test | 4 | 4 | 4/171 | 100.75 | 3.58 | 168.5 |
| List A | 119 | 190 | 7/19 | 21.67 | 4.78 | 27.1 |
| First-class | 45 | 107 | 8/26 | 27.28 | 3.46 | 47.2 |
"All T20s" covers T20 internationals plus domestic and franchise T20 cricket. Stats from EntitySport, refreshed daily.
How UAE conditions suit him
Spinners usually do well in the UAE. Sharjah in particular has slow, dry pitches that grip and turn, and teams tend to bowl a lot of spin there. Night games can bring dew, which makes the ball harder to grip in the second innings, so his best work may come when his side bowls first.
Team Paktia fixtures
Where to watch Wanindu Hasaranga in the league stage (tentative, times in GST). Full dates on the APL 2026-27 schedule.
| Match | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, 27 Dec, 7:30 PM |  Team BalkhBAL |
| 3 | Tue, 29 Dec, 7:30 PM |  Akcel United KabulKAB |
| 6 | Fri, 1 Jan, 3:30 PM |  Kandahar WarriorsKAN |
| 10 | Sun, 3 Jan, 7:30 PM |  Nangarhar CosmicNAN |
| 11 | Mon, 4 Jan, 7:30 PM | Team BalkhBAL |
| 13 | Wed, 6 Jan, 7:30 PM | Akcel United KabulKAB |
| 16 | Fri, 8 Jan, 7:30 PM | Kandahar WarriorsKAN |
| 20 | Mon, 11 Jan, 7:30 PM | Nangarhar CosmicNAN |
Wanindu Hasaranga FAQs
Which team does Wanindu Hasaranga play for in APL 2026-27?
Wanindu Hasaranga plays for Team Paktia in the Afghanistan Premier League 2026-27. The team is captained by Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
What is Wanindu Hasaranga's APL 2026-27 draft category?
Wanindu Hasaranga was a Platinum signing, the top draft category, at a confirmed fee of $100,000.
What is Wanindu Hasaranga's T20 record?
In 245 T20 matches, Wanindu Hasaranga has scored 2,500 runs (average 17, strike rate 141.96, best 77) and taken 345 wickets (economy 7.02, best 6/9).
What is Wanindu Hasaranga's playing role?
Wanindu Hasaranga is a all-rounder (right hand bat, right arm leg spin).
How old is Wanindu Hasaranga?
Wanindu Hasaranga was born on 29 July 1997 in Galle, so he is 29.
When is Team Paktia's first APL 2026-27 match?
Team Paktia open their campaign against Team Balkh on Sun, 27 Dec at 7:30 PM GST at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (tentative schedule). They play 8 league matches in total.
Last updated 13 November 2026