LPL 2024: Shadab Khan’s hat-trick bamboozles Kandy Falcons

Pakistan cricketer Shadab Khan found his form after a rough couple of months. The Babar Azam-led side failed to cross the group stage of the T20 World Cup and many players including Shadab Khan were under the scanner for his poor performance. However, in the Colombo Strikers’ opening game in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), the leg-spinner reigned supreme, picking up a hat-trick and getting the job done for the Thisara Perera-led side.

Despite losing a few early wickets, Kandy Falcons were in the hunt when Shadab came to bowl in the 15th over of the match. He dismissed Falcons skipper Wanindu Hasaranga for 25 runs and picked up back-to-back wickets of Agha Salman and Pawan Rathnayake. With that, he completed the hat-trick and became the only second bowler in LPL history to achieve this feat. 

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Shadab gave away 22 runs in his four overs and was eventually adjudged Player of the Match. Other than the hat-trick, he also dismissed Kamindu Mendis early in the game. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 20 runs off 17 balls as Colombo posted a healthy total of 198 runs in the first innings. Speaking about the game, Shadab stated that when he went out to bat, the pitch looked slower and revealed his conversation with skipper Perera in the middle.

Watch the video below: 

“When I went to bat, it was turning a bit when you bowl a bit slower. I was talking to Thisara that if you take it deep, it is easier to hit the pacers,” Shadab said. 

“(If he knew this is just the 2nd hat trick in LPL history) I don't know, I only know that it is my first one,” the all-rounder said when asked about his hat trick.

For Colombo, Muhammad Waseem and Sadeera Samarawickrama had a fantastic time. Waseem smashed 32 runs off 18 deliveries while Samarawickrama hit 48 runs off 26 balls. Following the win, Colombo moved to the top of the table while Kandy moved third.