Trent Boult, on Wednesday, became the third New Zealand bowler to take an ODI hat-trick in a match as he stunned the Pakistan top-order in Aby Dhabi.
Boult, in the first of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, got the wickets Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez in three consecutive deliveries to register the year’s third hat-trick. South Africa’s Imran Tahir (against Zimbabwe) and Sri Lanka’s Shehan Madushanka (against Bangladesh) are the other two bowlers with a hat-trick this year.
Pakistan, in pursuit of New Zealand’s 266/9, in the third over, lost Zaman, whose wickets were shattered by an incoming Boult delivery.
Boult, in the following delivery, managed to get the edge of Azam’s bat with a full-length ball. Ross Taylor, stationed in a wide slip position, completed the catch.
Hafeez, then, missed another full-length delivery, that pitched on middle and leg and struck his pads, getting out LBW.
Danny Morrison was the first Kiwi bowler to take an ODI hat-trick. He did it against India in 1994. Shane Bond clinched New Zealand’s second hat-trick in 2007 against Australia.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!