Lankan pacer Chanaka Welegedara equals T20 world record

Colombo, April 6 (IANS) Sri Lanka fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara equalled the world record for the most economical four-over spell in the short history of Twenty20 cricket.

Playing for Tamil Union in Sri Lanka's domestic league, Welegedara finished with incredible figures of four wickets for two runs from four overs which included two maidens.

The left-armer equals the record set by South African Chris Morris last year, who took 2/2 from four overs with three maidens while playing for Highveld Lions against Cape Cobras, reports Cricket Australia (CA).

Defending 142, Tamil Union -- captained by Welegedara -- routed the Sinhalese Sports Club for just 97 to secure the win with 4.3 overs to spare.

Welegedara first removed Minod Bhanuka halfway through the fifth over of the innings and then bowled Thilina Kandamby two balls later. He got rid off Sachithra Senanayake with the first ball of his next over before trapping Charith Jayampathi leg before with the fourth ball of the 11th over.

The 34-year-old has played 21 Tests and 10 One-Day Internationals (ODI) for Sri Lanka and played his only two T20 Internationals back in 2010.

List of the most economical four-over spells in T20 cricket:

Chanaka Welegedara 4-2-2-4
Chris Morris 4-3-2-2
Zulfiqar Babar 4-2-3-2
Shoaib Malik 4-2-3-1
Sunil Narine 4-1-3-0.