UAE cricketer bags the first HAT TRICK of the Twenty20 World Cup as 22-year-old blitzes Sri Lanka’s middle order – including their CAPTAIN – but they fall to huge 79-run defeat in Geelong
UAE leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan has taken the first hat-trick of the T20 World Cup in the qualifying game against Sri Lanka.
Meiyappan struck in the 15th over on Tuesday night at Geelong, with Sri Lanka cruising at 2-117.
First he had Bhanuka Rajapaksa caught in the deep for five and then Charith Asalanka was caught behind for a golden duck.
UAE cricketer Karthik Meiyappan has achieved what most cricketers can only dream of
The 22-year-old took a hat trick during his side’s group stage clash against Sri Lanka
Meiyappan’s hat-trick ball was a beauty, bowling Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka between bat and pad.
It is the first UAE hat-trick in a T20 international and the fifth in a T20 World Cup.
‘Getting a hat-trick in a World Cup game, especially against a Test-playing nation in Sri Lanka, that is a really great feeling and it hasn’t sunk in yet,’ Meiyappan said after the innings.
Meiyappan took 3-19 from four overs as Sri Lanka reached 8-152 from 20 overs.
The spinner celebrates with his teammates amid jubilant scenes in Geelong on Tuesday
Opener Pathum Nissanka starred with 74 from 60 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
A brilliant diving catch by Basil Hameed dismissed Nissanka off the bowling of Zahoor Khan with one ball left in the innings.
The loser of this match will be winless after two games and out of contention to reach the Super 12 stage of the tournament.