Sri Lankan cricket fans will never forget 17 March 1996 – day the lions etched its name in history by winning the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time.
On Monday (17) the country thus marked its 29th anniversary of that monumental World Cup triumph and close upon three decades, no Sri Lankan team has managed to surpass that historic achievement.
In a stunning final against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka secured a commanding seven-wicket victory, completing a fairytale campaign under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga.
A victory to remember
Australia, batting first, posted a competitive total of 241/7 in their 50 overs. The Sri Lankan bowlers put up a disciplined performance, with Aravinda de Silva leading the attack with three crucial wickets.
Chasing 242 for victory, Sri Lanka faced an early setback as openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana were dismissed cheaply with just 23 runs on the board.
However, the match turned in Lanka’s favor with a brilliant 125-run partnership between Aravinda de Silva and Asanka Gurusinha.
Gurusinha’s well-crafted 65 helped stabilise the innings before he was dismissed. But it was de Silva who emerged as the hero of the final, scoring a magnificent unbeaten 107, steering Sri Lanka towards victory alongside skipper Ranatunga, who contributed a solid 47 not out.
Sri Lanka reached the target in 46.2 overs, sparking wild celebrations across the island nation.
The win not only marked Sri Lanka’s maiden World Cup triumph at any sporting level, but also transformed the team into a global cricketing powerhouse.
De Silva’s all-round performance – 107* with the bat and three wickets with the ball – earned him the Man of the Match award.
Meanwhile, explosive opener Jayasuriya, who had played a pivotal role throughout the tournament and had redefined the art of One-Day batting, was named the ‘Man of the Series’.
The 1996 World Cup victory remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest sporting achievements, a moment of national pride that continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike.