New Delhi, June 22: Mohammed Shami became the second India bowler after Chetan Sharma to take a hat-trick in a World Cup game. Bowling under pressure, the right-arm pacer struck three wickets in a row in the final over of the match and guide his team to a thrilling win over a spirited Afghanistan side here Saturday (June 22).
The Bengal pacer held his nerve brilliantly at the end after going for a boundary from his first delivery. Chetan Sharma picked up the first hat-trick for India during 1987 WC game against New Zealand in Nagpur.
He took the wickets of dangerous Mohammed Nabi (52), Aftab Alam (0) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (0) on the trot to join the elite club of bowlers who took hat-trick in a World Cup game.
India thus defeated Afghanistan by 11 runs to remain unbeaten in the tournament and claimed their 50th win in the ODI world cup.
This is how Shami's hat-trick deliveries panned out:
49.3 overs: OUT! Mohammad Nabi c Hardik Pandya b Mohammed Shami 52 (55). Mohammed Shami bowled a half volley, down leg side backing away driving, and Nabi mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, and Pandya takes a running catch. Shami finally bowled it in the block-hole and Nabi can't dig it out and create power to clear the rope. Down the throat of the fielder.
49.4 overs: OUT! Aftab Alam b Mohammed Shami 0 (1). Length ball from Shami towards off stump backing away slog, and the new man-in missed it too. The batsman was swinging from the hip to clear the rope but couldn't connect with the ball. Roar of delight from Shami.
49.5 overs: OUT! Mujeeb Zadran b Mohammed Shami 0 (1). Shami to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Yorker, to leg backing away driving, missed to. He's done it. Shami completes the victory with a World Cup hat-trick.
Hat-tricks in World Cup:
Chetan Sharma (IND), 1987
Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK), 1999
Chaminda Vaas (SL), 2003
Brett Lee (AUS), 2003
Lasith Malinga (SL), 2007 (4 in 4)
Kemar Roach (WI), 2011
Lasith Malinga (SL), 2011
Steven Finn (ENG), 2015
JP Duminy (SA), 2015
Mohammed Shami (IND), 2019
This is how cricketing fraternity reacted to Shami's hat-trick:
A big shout out for our Hat-trick Hero @MdShami11 - striking timber when it mattered the most - you Champ! #TeamIndia #INDvAFG #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/7MZC4z61yn
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 22, 2019
Bumrah & Shami deserve all the praise for the win tonight but still too close for comfort. #INDvAFG
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) June 22, 2019
Afghanistan won a lot of new fans today. Played superbly and India were lucky to win this.any congratulations to @MdShami11 on a World Cup Hat-trick #INDvAFG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 22, 2019
What a win!! After being hit for a four on the first ball and then three consecutive wickets @MdShami11 !! All over, what a wonderful win this💯🇮🇳#Shami #INDvAFG #CWC19
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 22, 2019
Grt effort by Afghanistan wonderful to see the fighting the spirit and I m sure u guys will grow from here. India cannot take it easy but our boys proved what big match temperament is all about! Congrats to @MdShami11 on a historical hat trick & our boys on another win. #INDvAFG
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) June 22, 2019
What a bowling performance by all the bowlers 👏👏👏🇮🇳 specially @MdShami11 congratulations on ur first hattrick bro 👏👏😊 @BCCI @cricketworldcup #INDvsAFG 😊🤙
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) June 22, 2019
Shami completes win in gr8 style, with a hat-trick, saves India the blushes, what a thrilling contest! Well played India, but all kudos to Afghanistan for putting up a sterling fight
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 22, 2019
Top bowling performance @Jaspritbumrah93 @MdShami11 hattrick 💪🏏🔥 Chahal you beauty @yuzi_chahal.. great game india 🇮🇳 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ congratulations @BCCI @StarSportsIndia @ICC
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 22, 2019
@MdShami11 you beauty. What a finish!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) June 22, 2019
I told you all😉. Maza aagaya! Thriller of a game.@Jaspritbumrah93 aap aap hai, what a spell and what an important 19th over.@MdShami11 what a time to take a @cricketworldcup hattrick😍
— surya77 (@surya_14kumar) June 22, 2019
Afghanistan you were brilliant. Take a bow.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/eTacwsfZ5G