Playing just his eighth international game, Thushara picked up a hat-trick in his first over, dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah off consecutive balls. Introduced into the attack in the fourth over of the innings, Thushara, who is another Sri Lanka bowler with a slingy action similar to Lasith Malinga’s, started with a dot before going on a rampage.

His first ball of the hat-trick was short and kept low but moved in slightly after pitching, leaving Shanto in an awkward position as the ball crept past his defence to hit the stumps. He got the ball to move away next up as Hridoy had no answers against the quick good-length delivery that once again went on to disturb the timber behind.

Mahmudullah was the next batter in to face the hat-trick ball. Thushara again bowled quick as the ball swung away from the middle stump to hit the batter on the pads. Mahmudullah went up for a review after the on-field umpire raised his finger and he eventually had to walk back for a golden duck, leaving Thushara ecstatic and Bangladesh reeling at 15-4.

It was the sixth time a Sri Lanka bowler picked up a T20I hat-trick after Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga (twice), Akila Dananjaya, and Wanindu Hasaranga achieved the feat before him. It was also the third time in less than 24 hours that a bowler got three in three – Akeal Hosein got a hat-trick in the PSL, while Deepti Sharma got the milestone in the WPL.

Thushara went on to pick up his five-wicket haul, ending with 5-20 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in a 28-run defeat.

Watch the hat-trick here:

An underdog's Hat-trick.

The accuracy with the slinger.
Nuwan Thushara's Hat-trick

Overlooked by all because of Matheesha Pathirana.
Glad that he is getting opportunities.#BANvSL @NuwanThushara53 @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/CoE4QakaNU

— Honey Badger (@HoneyBadgerMood) March 9, 2024