Shadab Khan bags a hat-trick in the Lanka Premier League

Shadab Khan has ended his bad run of form on debut in the 2024 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) by getting a hat-trick for the Colombo Strikers. He also scored 20 runs off 17 balls in his team’s total of 198, which was enough to give them a 51-run victory against the Kandy Falcons. 

The Pakistani leg spinner went wicketless in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where his team failed to advance past the group stages. Shadab was also lacklustre during the 2023 ODI World Cup. 

Hence, this performance would have come as a big relief for the all-rounder, who is receiving flak on social media from Pakistani fans for his poor national team performance. 

Bowling at the Pallekele International Stadium, he picked up the wicket of Kamindu Mendis earlier in his spell and then returned in the 15th over of the chase to bag a hat-trick. 

He picked up Wanindu Hasaranga, the only other bowler to take a hat-trick in the LPL, by getting caught at long off on the fourth ball of the over by bowling a bit short and asking the batter to slap him down the ground. The next delivery was much better, as it was looped up around off and skidded through to crash into Agha Salman’s stumps. 

The hat-trick ball was a googly from Shadab, which fell on off and came in to hit Pavan Rathnayake's pads. He was given out LBW. He reviewed it, but it was turned down. 

With a wicket falling on the last ball of the 14th over, Colombo Strikers got four wickets in the space of seven deliveries and killed the chase there. From 140/4 in 13.5 overs, they were 147 all out by the end of 16th over, where Dunith Wellalage picked up two wickets to wrap the innings. 

Shadab Khan was the Player of the Match for his superb performance. 

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