Mohammad Shami grabs hat-trick vs Afghanistan: Indian fast bowler bowled a match-winning last over against Afghanistan.
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During the 28th match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between India and Afghanistan at Southampton, India fast bowler Mohammad Shami became only the second Indian bowler (after Chetan Sharma) to grab a hat-trick in the World Cup.
Been included in India’s playing XI for this match in place of injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami bowled a match-winning last over to aid India in jumping to No. 4 on the points table.
Defending 16 runs in the last over, Shami was expected to do the same. However, veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi hitting a boundary on the first ball spoke of the otherwise.
Knowing that Nabi holds the key for the opposition, Shami was successful in dismissing him on the third ball of the last over. While Nabi (52) was out caught at the boundary, Shami’s other two dismissals saw him castling Afghanistan tail-enders in Aftab Alam (0) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (0) on the first ball that they faced.
Playing an ODI after the last ODI of Australia’s tour of India in March, Shami was on point from the word go. Having registered bowling figures of 9.5-1-40-4, Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India.
Apart from the hat-trick, Shami had dismissed Afghanistan opening batsman Hazratullah Shahidi (10) to make early inroads into the opposition’s batting lineup.
The 28-year old pacer continued on his impressive numbers this year. In 12 ODIs, Shami has picked 23 wickets at an average of 23.56, an economy rate of 5.04 and a strike rate of 28.
Mohammad Shami grabs hat-trick vs Afghanistan:
How Twitter reacted on Shami’s hat-trick:
👆 👆 👆
Nerves of steel from Mohammad Shami.#CWC19 | #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/H9CLRVMNdd
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 22, 2019
We won but an outstanding effort from Afghanistan. They can be very proud. Bumrah and Shami saved it for India in the end. Congratulations to @MdShami11 on the Hat-trick. #INDvAFG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019
We won but an outstanding effort from Afghanistan. They can be very proud. Bumrah and Shami saved it for India in the end. Congratulations to @MdShami11 on the Hat-trick. #INDvAFG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019
The Shami hat-trick might make the headlines, but it was Bumrah’s 49th over that sealed the match
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) June 22, 2019
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