T20 World Cup 2024: Pat Cummins becomes first player to register back-to-back hat-tricks in T20I history

It was a historic day in St. Vincent during the Super-8 match between Australia and Afghanistan as Pat Cummins wrote his name in record books with a special feat. The 31-year-old became the first-ever bowler to pick-up two hat-tricks in the T20 World Cups and record back-to-back hat-tricks in the T20I format.

Cummins got his second hat-trick on Saturday when he dismissed Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib. The 31-year-old had taken his first one in the previous match against Bangladesh. Brett Lee was the first-ever Australian bowler to take a T20 World Cup hattrick when he achieved the feat against Bangladesh in the inaugural World Cup. 

Thanks to captain Cummins' stellar performance, Australia could restrict Afghanistan to 148 on the board. It is a must win match for Rashid Khan and his side because a loss will ensure India and Australia’s passage into the Semi-Finals. Meanwhile, Adam Zampa continued to prove why he is regarded as one of the best spinners with yet another crucial spell as the 32-year-old picked two crucial wickets to give the Australians some much-needed respite after Afghanistan openers thrashed them in a century stand.

Pat Cummins chuffed after his record-breaking feat

Meanwhile, all the attention was on Cummins as the 31-year-old was the toast of the cricketing world. No bowler in the entire history of the T20 World Cups taken two hat-tricks and that too in successive matches.

While speaking at the innings break, the Aussie star was over the moon with his effort. “Yeah, I remembered that one (hattrick). Crazy. Played 100-odd games for Australia, (now) got two in a row. I thought they batted well. But I also thought we restricted the boundaries. They obviously ran well. Overall, decent bowling effort. Not our tidiest day in the field. Happy with the total” he said. 

Watch Pat Cummins' hat-trick against Afghanistan here

For Afghanistan, it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz with 60 who led the charge with the bat. He was ably supported by Ibrahim Zadran who scored 51 as the pair frustrated the Aussie bowling with an 118-run stand. That partnership was broken in the 16^th over as Marcus Stoinis gave his side their first wicket.