Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins became the first cricketer to take multiple hat-tricks at the T20 World Cup during Sunday’s historic loss against Afghanistan in St Vincent.
The 31-year-old dismissed Rashid Khan, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib in consecutive deliveries at Kingstown’s Arnos Vale Ground, each caught in the outfield during the death overs.
Cummins, who finished with figures of 3-28 from four overs, should have had a fourth wicket in as many deliveries, but teammate David Warner uncharacteristically dropped a regulation chance at deep mid-wicket.
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Afghanistan shock Aussies with T20 Win | 04:08
Two days earlier, the Test captain also claimed a hat-trick during Australia’s rain-affected victory over Bangladesh in North Sound, becoming just the second cricketer to achieve the rare feat in consecutive matches at international level, joining Pakistan legend Wasim Arkam on the illustrious list.
Akram took hat-tricks in successive Test matches against Sri Lanka in March 1999, while Australian spinner Jimmy Matthews claimed hat-tricks in each innings of a Test match against South Africa in 1912.
Cummins confessed to forgetting he was on a hat-trick during Friday’s match against the Tigers in Antigua, but he was fully aware of the situation on this occasion.
“Yeah, remembered this one,” he laughed during the innings break.
“It’s crazy. I’ve played, I don’t know, 100 games for Australia, and got two (hat-tricks) in a row.
Multiple hat-tricks in men’s T20Is
Lasith Malinga (SL)
Tim Southee (NZ)
Mark Pavlovic (SRB)
Waseem Abbas (MLT)
Pat Cummins (AUS)
Cummins helped restrict Afghanistan to 6-148 in the crucial Super Eight clash, but Australia fell 21 runs short in the chase, bowled out for 127 in 19.2 overs.
Australia will next face India in a must-win match at St Lucia’s Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, with the first ball scheduled for 12.30am.