T20 World Cup 2024: Pat Cummins Claims Historic Hat-Trick as Australia Down B’desh

Antigua: Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins etched his name in T20 World Cup history with a thrilling hat-trick, dismantling Bangladesh’s batting order in the Super 8 clash. The 31-year-old’s three-wicket burst proved decisive as Australia secured a 28-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Cummins’ brilliance unfolded in the 18th over, dismissing seasoned campaigner Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan with consecutive deliveries. He then returned in the final over, completing the hat-trick by sending Towhid Hridoy packing with the very first ball. This remarkable feat marked the seventh hat-trick in T20 World Cup history and the first for Cummins in Australian colours.

“Honestly, I completely forgot about it,” confessed Cummins in the post-match press conference, revealing he wasn’t aware of being on a hat-trick until teammate Marcus Stoinis’ enthusiastic celebrations reminded him.

This wasn’t just Cummins’ first international hat-trick, but it also cemented his place alongside Brett Lee as the only Australians to achieve this feat on the T20 World Cup stage. Interestingly, Lee’s hat-trick in 2007 also came against Bangladesh.

Cummins’ impressive bowling figures of 3/29 played a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

The win also sees Cummins joining an elite club of Australian spinners Ashton Agar and Nathan Ellis, who have previously claimed hat-tricks in T20Is.