Ireland's Indian-origin pacer Moondra creates cricket history with 6/26 figures

Ireland's Jai Moondra (Photo by Getty Images)

Ireland fast bowler Jai Moondra created history with an outstanding performance against Namibia in the fourth ODI of the five-match series on Friday.The 29-year-old took six wickets for just 26 runs in his 10 overs, helping Ireland defend their total of 298 runs and secure a convincing 130-run victory at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.Moondra’s remarkable bowling performance also helped him set a new record for Ireland in international cricket. He became the country's most successful bowler in terms of wickets taken and runs conceded in a single international innings.

Before Moondra’s achievement, the record for Ireland’s best bowling figures belonged to Josh Little, who took six wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs against Zimbabwe in Harare on December 15, 2023.Moondra bettered those figures by conceding 10 fewer runs while taking the same number of wickets.The Indian-origin fast bowler, who made his international debut for Ireland earlier this year in a T20I against India, is now the third Irish player to take a six-wicket haul in ODIs and the fifth to achieve the feat in international cricket.

Andy McBrine remains the only Irish bowler to have taken more than one six-wicket haul in ODIs.

Second-best bowling figures against Namibia

Moondra’s performance also ranks as the second-best bowling effort against Namibia in international cricket.Australia's Glenn McGrath holds the top spot after taking seven wickets for 15 runs in seven overs during the 2003 ODI World Cup match against Namibia in Potchefstroom.Meanwhile, Ireland’s victory helped the team level the five-match ODI series 2-2. Both sides will now meet in the series-deciding fifth ODI in Windhoek on Sunday, November 1.