Wanindu Hasaranga became the third bowler to take hat-trick in T20 World Cup history to enter the elite list of bowlers. Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee and Ireland pacer Curtis Campher are the only two bowlers to take a hat-trick in the mega event. Hasaranga is also the second bowler to take hat-trick in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
In the 18th over, Hasaranga single-handedly changed the game as he got the wickets of a set Temba Bavuma and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorious. On the last ball of the 15th over, the right-arm leg-spinner got the wicket of Aiden Markram as well. The Sri Lankan spinner was also close to becoming the second bowler to take a double hat-trick but the ball was pitching outside leg when he outsmarted Kagiso Rabada with a googly.
The 24-year-old is also the fifth Sri Lankan bowler to take a hat-trick in the format. He conceded just 20 runs from his four overs helping Sri Lanka make a comeback with an economical spell.
Hasaranga also became the fourth bowler after Brett Lee, Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga to scalp a hat-trick in ODIs and T20Is.
The second-ranked T20I bowler has been in excellent form this year. He has taken 31 wickets from 20 matches in this year which is the joint second-most by a bowler in a calendar year. He is one wicket short of Tabraiz Shamsi, who took three wickets in the same match to reach to the top.
Hasaranga's three in three, however, couldn't help Sri Lanka clinch the thriller against South Africa. David Miller whacked two sixes off Kagiso Rabada in the final over to take SA past the finish line in Sharjah.
