David Warner’s dropped catch resulted in Pat Cummins missing out on taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries during Australia’s T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eights fixture against Afghanistan today (June 22).
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s record 118-run opening partnership set a perfect launchpad for Afghanistan for a late charge, but Cummins thwarted their plans with an exhibition of brilliant death bowling. In the process, the fast bowler also claimed a hat-trick, becoming the only one to achieve the feat in successive T20Is. Two days ago, against Bangladesh, Cummins had become the first Australia quick after Brett Lee in 2007 to pick up a hat-trick.
Cummins’ feat came over a span of two overs. He dismissed Rashid Khan off the last ball of the 18th and claimed the wickets of Karim Janat (13 off nine) and Gulbadin Naib off the first two deliveries in the 20th over.
Also watch: Pat Cummins takes second T20 World Cup hat-trick in three days
He had a great chance to make four in four had Warner not dropped a catch on a day when Australia had a mediocre outing as a fielding unit. Nangeyalia Kharote tried to cut a back-of-a-length ball over the off side but mistimed it. The ball dipped and Warner ran in from deep point, but could only get fingertips to it, failing to grab the ball.
Afghanistan made 148-6 after the first innings, but managed to achieve a historic win, beating Australia for the first time ever. They managed to restrict Australia to 127, winning the game by 21 runs.
The following players have taken four wickets in four balls in men's T20Is:
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan v Ireland, 2019
Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 2019
Curtis Campher – Ireland v Netherlands, 2021
Jason Holder – West Indies v England, 2022
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