Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah registered an unfortunate record for his involvement in the most hat-tricks by a player in international cricket history during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Australia. Australian pacer Pat Cummins claimed the first hat-trick of the T20 World Cup 2024 to restrict Bangladesh to 140-8. He bowled Mahmudullah, who was playing on 2, on the penultimate ball of the 18th over, followed by Mahedi Hasan’s wicket on the next delivery. The right-handed pacer completed his hat-trick on the first ball of the last over by getting the prized scalp of Bangladesh’s settled batter Towhid Hridoy (40). Notably, this was Mahmudullah’s third involvement in a hat-trick in T20I cricket, which is the most by any batter in the format. Overall, the veteran batter has now been involved in six hat-tricks in international cricket, which is the highest among all players in history.

Bangladesh went on to lose the match by 28 runs as per the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) as Australia scored 100-2 in 11.2 overs before rain halted the action in Antigua. Travis Head and Warner gave Australia a flying start to their pursuit of the 141-run target with their aggressive strokeplay, scoring 59 runs in the powerplay. The game was briefly interrupted after the powerplay due to rain. Australia lost Head, who scored 31 off 21, right after the rain break. Rishad Hossain got the prized scalp of Head, followed by the wicket of Australian captain Mitchell Marsh in the next over. Warner continued his onslaught and raised his half-century in 34 balls with a six off Taskin Ahmed. The left-hander’s domination took Australia 28 runs ahead of the DLS par score when rain interrupted again The second spell of rain was more severe and persistent, forcing the match to be called off. Consequently, Australia claimed a 28-run victory

Credit: Independent News Pakistan