Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Irfan produces T20 cricket's most economical spell

Barbados Tridents suffered their second defeat in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Saturday, August 25, but their fans were overwhelmed by the performance of Mohammad Irfan. The Pakistani left-arm fast bowler bowled the most economical spell in the history of T20 cricket, taking 2 wickets for a solitary run in four overs against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Bridgetown.

The seven-ft-plus tall bowler still could not help his team win the game but his performance won hearts all over. Irfan bowled 23 dot balls and could have registered an unbreakable record but for the last delivery which went for a single. His two wickets included that of the opposition skipper Chris Gayle who fell off the very first ball of the innings and Ewin Lewis. St Kitts and Nevis, however, did not find it difficult as they overhauled the target of 147 with six wickets and seven balls to spare.

Earlier, Gayle won the toss and asked the Tridents to bat first. Riding a fifty by captain Jason Holder (54), the Tridents posted a total of 147 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs with Ben Cutting returning with the figures of 2 for 18 in four overs.

Irfan, who was chosen as the man of the match, bettered the performance of Chris Morris who had bowled at an economy rate of 0.5 for the Cape Cobras in South Africa’s Ram Slam in November 2014. Sri Lankan Chanaka Welegedara also produced a similar economy rate for Tamil Union back in April 2015. The 36-year-old Pakistani’s economy rate in the CPL game was 0.25.

Beat the bat 17 times

Besides taking the two wickets, Irfan beat the batsman a total number of 17 times and got the edge once as St Kitts and Nevis batsmen were clearly clueless on how to handle the pacer. But they were let off once Irfan was done with his quota and took control of the game. His efforts were ruined by the beating that bowlers like Steve Smith (37 off 2) and Raymon Reifer (24 off 2) got.

Irfan has played in four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is for Pakistan with 108 international wickets. He last played for the Men in Green in an ODI in September 2016.

How the Twitter reacted to Irfan’s feat:

Truly honored & humbled to make the world record for the most economical four over bowling figures in the history of T20 cricket: 4-3-1-2. Thanks @CPL & @BIMTridents. Also I can't say it enough but Caribbean people are pure love. 🙌🙏🏽 #SayaCorporation @TalhaAisham pic.twitter.com/ot0zdEKMKC

— Mohammad Irfan (@M_IrfanOfficial) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan's spell of 4-3-1-2 for Barbados Tridents against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots is the most economical 4 over spell in the history of T20s #Cricket #CPL2018

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 25, 2018

World Record! Mohammad Irfan bowls most economical 4-over spell in T20 history. He bowled 23 consecutive dots and conceded a run off the last ball of his spell.

Finishes with figures: 4-3-1-2. Just one run in 4 overs! #CPL2018

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 25, 2018

A near perfect 10. 23 dot balls to top it with 2 wickets. Would take quite a taking to beat this record. As they say cricket is a funny game,just imagine after this magic spell still ends up in the losing side. What a performance!!! Hats off!!! "Mohammad Irfan"

— Developself (@Developself2) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan has bowled the most economical spell in T20 cricket.

– 4 overs
– 23 dot balls
– 2 wickets
– 1 run
– 0.25 RPO#CPL

— Rana Naveed (@RanaNav45524085) August 26, 2018

Pakistani bowler Mohammad Irfan has bowled the most economical four-over spell in T20 history in #CPL
Single run off his final delivery & finishing with figures of 4-3-1-2 🙌🇵🇰😘

— Iram Ahmad Khan (@Iram_says) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan today recorded most economical spell ever in T20 history…

Four overs
23 Dot balls
One Run
Two wickets#CPL2018

— WorldNews (@TamilNews77) August 26, 2018

World Record….! 🏆😍
Mohammad Irfan bowls most economical 4-over spell in T20 History. He bowled 23 consecutive dots and conceded only a run off the last ball of his spell in CPL . 🔥@M_IrfanOfficial uhh Beauty😍🤩 pic.twitter.com/wM48Kfa7lL

— Mubeen Ch♓♑ (@Mubeen_says) August 26, 2018

W••••••••W•••••••••••••1 😱
Mohammad Irfan has bowled the most economical spell in T20 history. #CPL2018#BTvSKNP

— ONE FOR ALL (@mohsinstats) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan bowls the most economical four-over spell in the history of T20 cricket,
Mohammad Irfan's spell of 4-3-1-2 for Barbados Tridents against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. #BTvSKNP #CPL18

— Raghava (@Raghava4mahesh) August 26, 2018

4 overs. 3 maidens. 2 wickets for 1 run. In a T20. Wow. Take a bow Mohammad Irfan.

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) August 26, 2018

What a spell in T20
Mohammad Irfan 4-3-1-2

— Dr Baba A'neal Che🔵 (@BabaAnealChe) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan bowled record breaking economical figures in #CPL18 🙏
[ 4 – 3 – 1 – 2 ]👌 pic.twitter.com/1V48VcIoOX

— GOWTHAM SINGH ᶻᵉʳᵒ (@iamjr_SRK) August 26, 2018

I don't think that Mohammad Irfan record will be broken. 1 run in 4 overs? Incredible. #CPL

— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan bowling figures.

4 overs. 3 Maidens. 2 wickets. 1 run. 😲😲😲 Cheapest bowling figure in the history of T20 cricket. #CPL.

Would have been 4 maidens, if not for the last ball single.

— Arun Pandiyan (@ArunPandiyanMJ) August 26, 2018

Mohammad Irfan's spell of 4-3-1-2 for Barbados Tridents against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots is the most economical 4 over spell in the history of T20s #Cricket #CPL2018 🇵🇰✌🏻👍🏻

— Malik Hasnain 🇵🇰 (@iammalikhasnain) August 26, 2018

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.