Australia’s Pat Cummins put on a thrilling display of fast bowling skills and etched his name in the cricketing history books by becoming the first bowler to take two hat-tricks in the T20 World Cup. The incredible feat was accomplished in the Super Eights against Afghanistan at St Vincent’s Kingston on Sunday. Let’s dive into the details of this historic achievement.
Incredible feat
Cummins’ journey towards this remarkable milestone began against Bangladesh when he scored his first hat-trick in Antigua. However, it was against Afghanistan that Cummins truly made history by becoming the first player to achieve a hat-trick in consecutive T20 World Cup matches.
Magical ending
This dramatic incident occurred in the 18th inning of the Afghan team’s match. Cummins used his deadly pace and accuracy to beat Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan with the last ball. Rashid’s delivery was a little shorter and slower, hitting the ball straight to the long fielder.
Cummins was brought back by Mitchell Marsh to bowl the last over of Afghanistan’s innings and he did not disappoint. His first victim of the spell was Karim Janat, who was tricked by Cummins’ ill-timed pass and mistakenly fired his shot wide. Sensing an opportunity, Cummins slightly adjusted his length, resulting in Gulbadin Naib opting for the leg-side sweeper. With this dismissal, Cummins completed his second hat-trick, a remarkable achievement that shocked the cricketing world.
Cummins reaction
Looking back on his historic performance, Cummins said: “I remember that game. I have played more than 100 games for Australia and now I have two hat-tricks in a row, which is crazy.” The excitement of the Australian pacer was evident and his feat was celebrated by teammates and fans alike.
A place in history
Cummins’ back-to-back hat-tricks puts him among the elite bowlers who have bagged multiple hat-tricks in T20I cricket. He joins the likes of Lassis Malinga, Tim Southee, Serbia’s Mark Pavlovic and Malta’s Wasim Abbas. In addition, Cummins became the second player to score consecutive hat-tricks in international matches after Wasim Akram (who scored consecutive hat-tricks in consecutive Test matches against Sri Lanka in March 1999).
Game summary
Australia, led by Cummins’ heroics, restricted Afghanistan to a total of 148/6 in 20 overs. Despite Afghanistan’s positive efforts, Cummins’ killer spell turned the tide in Australia’s favour. His figures of 28/3 helped curb Afghanistan’s momentum and set a manageable target for the Australian batsmen.
In response, the Australian team easily chased down the target and further consolidated its position in the Super Eight stage. Hat-trick hero Cummins has received praise for his stellar performance, with many praising him as one of the best fast bowlers in the modern game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pat Cummins’ hat-trick is unique as he achieved it in consecutive T20 World Cup matches for the first time in cricket history.
Cummins joins an elite group that includes Lasith Malinga, Curtis Campher, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kagiso Rabada, Karthik Meiyappan and Josh Little.
Cummins expressed surprise and delight, noting that he was more aware of his hat-trick against Afghanistan than against Bangladesh.
Cummins’ hat-trick played a key role in restricting Afghanistan to a lower total as Australia managed to chase down Afghanistan to register a crucial victory at the Super Eight stage.
Cummins’ back-to-back hat-tricks join legends like Wasim Akram as one of the most significant bowling achievements in T20I cricket.
Conclusion
Pat Cummins’ historic consecutive hat-tricks not only cemented his place as one of the world’s top fast bowlers but also provided an exciting spectacle for cricket fans across the world. His ability to perform well under pressure has set a new benchmark in T20 World Cup history. As Australia continue their campaign, Cummins’ stellar performance will undoubtedly be the cornerstone of their success. Cheers to many more such unforgettable moments in the world of cricket!
