2007 World Cup Recap - Revisiting unforgettable moments

3. Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga takes 4 wickets in 4 consecutive balls

Lasith Malinga created history during Sri Lanka’s Super 8s match against South Africa in Guyana. Sri Lanka batted first and thanks to fifties from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russell Arnold, posted 209 runs on the board. Charl Langeveldt led the South African bowling attack as he took (5/39) a five-wicket haul. 

South Africa got off to a good start thanks to 59 from skipper Graeme Smith and 86 by Jacques Kallis. South Africa were cruising along at 206/5 when Lasith Malanga produced magic in four deliveries spread across two overs. He began by dismissing Shaun Pollock and Andrew Hall on the last two balls of the 45^th over.

Resuming his spell in the 47^th over, Malinga cleaned up Jacques Kallis to complete his hat-trick and then added another one in the form of Makhaya Ntini to pick four wickets in four balls. Malinga’s 4 in 4 was the first instance of this achievement in international cricket. But it went in vain as South Africa managed to win the match by one wicket.