On Sunday, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan brought one of his best bowling performances in T20Is to help his squad attain a 3-0 series sweep over Ireland after their convincing 32-run victory in the third match of the series. He claimed an extraordinary figure of 5/27 to bundle up Ireland for 178 for eight in their chase of 211 in Dehradun. Not only that, it was in the 18th over, Khan became the first spinner in the format to take a hat-trick. he actually took four wickets in four balls to become the second after Lasith Malinga (in ODIs) to take four in four in international cricket.
For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi demolished the Irish bowlers hitting 81 off 36 deliveries with the help of 6 fours and 7 sixes, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground.
Here is the video of the hat-trick:
Unbelievable #Hattrick by #RashidKhan 3rd T20I 2019 #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/irgkXVieBf
— #PSL4 #HBLPSL2019 (@Aman_RN) February 24, 2019
Afghanistan managed to score 210/7 on the board after being put into bat first on a ground where they posted a T20 international record of 278/3 in the previous match. Kevin O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie, who made 47, then put on a threatening 96-run partnership for the second wicket to raise hopes of a successful chase but Khan hit back with his leg spin. He got O’Brien caught behind for 74.
Rashid dismissed George Dockrell, Shane Getkate and Simi Singh on consecutive deliveries to destroy the chances of Ireland. The Irish paceman Boyd Rankin took three wickets but gave away 53 runs in his four overs.
ALSO READ: Rashid Khan Thanks Friends And Family For Supporting Him
Talking about his knock during the post-match presentation, Nabi said, “It’s a good feeling. If I don’t perform with the bat, I try to do with the ball or in the field. It’s important to pass on my information to the younger players. We (me and Rashid) play a lot across the globe and it’s crucial to pass on the experience.”
The two teams will now play five ODIs starting Thursday followed by a one-off Test at the same venue, which is Afghanistan’s adopted home ground.
