Australian pacer and captain in ODIs and T20Is, Pat Cummins, etched his name into the annals of cricket history as he became the fourth Australian bowler to secure a hat-trick in T20 Internationals and the seventh overall in the T20 World Cup. The stunning achievement unfolded on Thursday, June 20 (local time), during the Super 8 clash against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held in Antigua. Cummins’ outstanding bowling performance was instrumental in Australia’s victory, which eventually came through the DLS method after rain curtailed the game.
Cummins executed his hat-trick across two overs, dismissing three crucial Bangladeshi batters in consecutive deliveries. The significant wickets came at a critical juncture in the match; first, he removed Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan with the fifth and sixth balls of the 18th over. Then, he returned in the 20th over to dismiss the dangerous Towhid Hridoy with his first delivery, thus completing his hat-trick.
Interestingly, Cummins wasn’t immediately aware of his accomplishment. He confessed at the post-match presentation that it took a nudge from teammate Marcus Stoinis to realize what he had achieved. “I had no idea I was on a hat-trick. I did the previous over, saw it come up on the screen, and by the time the next over came around, had totally forgotten about it. I think Stoinee ran in from the deep cheering, and everyone’s like, ‘Oh yeah.’ So, a nice one,” Cummins recounted with a smile.
While Cummins’ exceptional feat brought delight to Australian fans, it was another record-breaking, albeit unwanted, moment for Bangladesh’s batter Mahmudullah. His dismissal as part of Cummins’ hat-trick marked the sixth such instance in his international career, setting an unfortunate record. Mahmudullah has experienced this rare dismissal format twice in ODIs against South Africa by Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka by Shehan Madushanka. In 2020, he was part of a hat-trick in Tests against Pakistan, orchestrated by Naseem Shah. Additionally, in T20Is, he had previously fallen victim to this fate twice, first against Nathan Ellis in 2021 and then again earlier this year at the hands of Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara.
Mahmudullah’s statistics are a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and often harsh nature of cricket.
. Nevertheless, it’s a testament to the skills of bowlers like Cummins, who can change the course of a match with a single over.
Cummins’ remarkable spell meant that this was the seventh hat-trick achieved by any bowler against Bangladesh in T20 Internationals, another record. His performance was pivotal in ensuring Australia’s victory in the rain-affected match in Antigua, which saw Australia triumph through the DLS method.
The Super 8 fixture was equally crucial for Bangladesh, which had hoped for a strong performance to kickstart their campaign in Group 1. Unfortunately, the result was not in their favor, and they faced a disappointing defeat. With a match against a formidable Indian team looming, Bangladesh will need to regroup and strategize effectively to improve their standing in the tournament.
The match also witnessed several other notable incidents. It began under overcast skies, which always promised rains, and it was no surprise when interruptions started. The Australian bowlers took full advantage of the conditions. Besides Cummins, other bowlers played their parts effectively, making life difficult for the Bangladeshi batters who struggled to build any significant partnerships. The persistent pressure from the Australian side, coupled with the sporadic rain delays, kept the Bangladesh innings in check.
For Australia, this victory was crucial as it propelled them to the top of Group 1, thereby displacing India. The Australians are eyeing a strong finish in the Super 8 stage, and this match was a step in that direction. Praising Cummins, the Australian team management highlighted the captain’s leadership on and off the field. His energy and strategic implementation played a significant role in Australia’s dominant performance.
As the tournament progresses, cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await more thrilling encounters and exceptional performances. For now, Cummins’ hat-trick and Australia’s clinical win will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
