Watch: Four wickets in 11 balls – Saqib Mahmood provides timely reminder of his credentials on breathtaking BBL debut spell
Watch: Young England quick Saqib Mahmood enjoyed a near-perfect start to his BBL career, claiming four wickets off his first 11 deliveries in Sydney Thunder’s comprehensive victory over Brisbane Heat.
Mahmood – who bagged the Player of the Series award after England’s 3-0 ODI victory over Pakistan earlier this year – ripped through the Heat top order, serving a timely reminder of his capabilities. Apart from the boundary that Chris Lynn hit off his very first ball, everything went Mahmood’s way in his opening two overs.
Lynn fell as he tried to repeat the trick, trying to hit Mahmood over the off-side. He was taken at mid-off by Mahmood’s compatriot Alex Hales.
Mahmood's first three BBL deliveries: 😩😯😃 #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/9XVJzlGBto
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 19, 2021
He took another one in no time as Ben Duckett failed to clear the off-side ring field with Matthew Gilkes taking a straightforward catch.
TWO wickets in his debut BBL over!! #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/eNQOXv5dE5
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 19, 2021
There were to be two more breakthroughs in the following over: Sam Heazlett failing in his pull shot, gifting a catch to Daniel Sams off the very first ball, before Josh Pierson could only find Ben Cutting with his attempted slog sweep.
This is turning out to be some debut!
4-9 and still two overs to come for Saqib Mahmood! #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/xUOINCGeP6
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2021
In the middle of the carnage, Brisbane Heat also lost a batter to run-out, leaving them 15-5 in pursuit of 197.
Mahmood’s figures were a record performance, and a good way to remind the selectors that he’s still around in Australia, ready to bolster the England line-up for the rest of the Ashes if required. After injuries to Jofra Archer and Olly Stone, Mark Wood is the only genuine quick remaining in England’s Ashes squad and while Mahmood is not in that pace bracket himself, he is generally faster than the four quicks selected for the ongoing Adelaide Test.
Saqib Mahmood is the first player in #BBL history to take four wickets inside the first three overs of an innings. He's only the 10th player to do it any T20.
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) December 19, 2021
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