T20 format is considered a batter’s game. But over the years, bowlers have found ways to dominate the format with subtle variations and unique field placements. As the full-member nations gear up to play in the 20-team T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, here is a list of bowlers who have bagged a hat-trick in the marquee event.
Brett Lee
Former Australian speedster Brett Lee in the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup bagged a hat-trick against Bangladesh. Playing in Cape Town, Lee in the 17th over of the innings got the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan who edged one to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. Next ball, Mashrafe Mortaza got bowled. His hat-trick wicket was Alok Kapali who out out lbw. Australia won the game by nine wickets with 37 balls to spare.
Curtis Campher
It took 14 years for a bowler to bag the second hat-trick in T20 World Cup history. Ireland's pace-bowling all-rounder Curtis Campher in the 10th over of the innings wreaked havoc. First Colin Ackermann edged one to the wicketkeeper. Ryan ten Doeschate and Scott Edwards got out lbw whereas Roelof van der Merwe got bowled. Campher bagged a double hat-trick and helped his side bowl out the Netherlands for 106. Ierland chased down the total with seven wickets in hand and 29 balls to spare.
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Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in T20 World Cup 2021 bagged the first hat-trick in a losing cause in tournament's history. Against South Africa, he dismissed Aiden Markram on the last ball of the 15th over. In the 18th over, he got the wickets of skipper Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius to complete his hat-trick. However, David Miller's cameo helped South Africa chase down 143 with just one ball to spare.
Kagiso Rabada
In the run chase of 190, England needed 14 runs to win in the last over against South Africa. Kagiso Rabada was bowling with Chris Woakes and captain Eoin Morgan in the middle. On the first ball, he got the better of Woakes. Morgan went for a big shot too but got caught. Similarly, Chris Jordan tried to take the aerial route but became Rabada’s hat-trick wicket. Only three runs were scored in the last over as South Africa won by 10 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Karthik Meiyappan
A young leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan was lethal against Sri Lanka in the middle overs. In the T20 World Cup 2022 group stage clash, he dismissed Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and skipper Dasun Shanaka in the 15th over. He helped UAE restrict Sri Lanka for 152/8. But Meiyappan’s hat-trick went in vain as UAE were bowled out for 73 and lost the match by 79 runs.
Josh Little
In the penultimate over of New Zealand's innings, Josh Little caused a collapse restricting their total to 185/6. Little dismissed skipper Kane Williamson who scored 61 runs. Then, he trapped James Neesham and Mitchell Santner in front of the stumps to complete his hat-trick. The left-arm pacer’s hat-trick went in vain as well. Ireland managed to post 150/9 and lost the match by 35 runs.
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