Shamar Springer and Mujeeb Ur Rahman created history by taking hat-tricks in the final match of the Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I series. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium witnessed a historic moment in T20 International cricket when two hat-tricks were recorded within just 24 hours. Afghanistan won the series, but the final match belonged to the West Indies’ Shamar Springer.
For the first time in cricket history, two players took hat-tricks in the same bilateral men’s T20I series between Full-Member nations on Thursday. West Indies’ Shamar Springer helped create the record by taking his first hat-trick in the third T20I against Afghanistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Earlier, Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman had taken a hat-trick in the previous match.
West Indies, batting first on Thursday, scored 151/7, having already lost the series 2-0. In the second innings, when Springer started the 19th over, Afghanistan was 127/4. He took the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, and Shahidullah Kamal in consecutive balls to reduce the opposition to 127/7. He finished the match with impressive figures of 4/20, giving West Indies a consolation win by 15 runs.
Springer became only the third West Indies player to take a T20I hat-trick, after Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. After the match, he said, “It feels great; it’s really special to be the third West Indies player to take a hat-trick in T20 cricket.” “I just stayed patient. When I stepped out, I just wanted to give it my best shot… I just wanted to help the players hit the widest part of the field and focus on their execution.”
Mujeeb, on the other hand, took his hat trick in two overs. In the second innings of the second T20I, he took the wickets of Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles off consecutive balls and then dismissed Brandon King with the first ball of his next over, the 16th of the match. Mujeeb is a world-class bowler who is continuously shining with his performance.
The Miracle of a Double Hat-Trick in 24 Hours
What makes this series truly unique is the timing of the hat-tricks. Just one day earlier, on January 21st, Afghanistan’s spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman took a hat-trick. A second hat-trick in the next match within 24 hours is rare in international cricket. This unique coincidence has made the Dubai T20I series memorable. It is one of the most bowler-friendly contests in recent times.
West Indies Defend 151 Runs
Batting first, the West Indies posted a total of 151 runs on the board. Although it seemed like a par score, the pitch provided significant support to their bowlers, while in response, Afghanistan struggled to maintain the required run rate. The pressure created by the Windies bowlers, led by Springer’s hat trick, proved too much for the Afghan batters. Afghanistan could only manage to score 136 runs, falling short by 15 runs.
Afghanistan Wins Series 2-1
Despite losing the final game, Afghanistan emerged victorious. They dominated the first two matches, winning the first match of the series by 38 runs and the second by 39 runs. Their strong performance in the early stages of the tournament ensured they retained the trophy. However, the final match was a wake-up call for their middle order, which crumbled under the pressure of Springer’s pace.
Moral Victory for the West Indies
For the West Indies, this victory was a point of pride. After losing the first two games, the team showed great spirit to bounce back. The bowling unit looked more disciplined, and Shamar Springer’s brilliant performance provided the necessary spark. This series will be remembered not only for Afghanistan’s victory but also for the remarkable bowling performance that created history twice in two days.
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Previously, only once have two players taken hat-tricks in the same T20I series—Sheraz Sheikh and Wasim Abbas for Malta and Belgium, both non-Full Member countries. Some ICC events have also seen multiple hat-tricks, with Australia star Pat Cummins’ triple-wicket haul against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in two consecutive games at the 2024 T20 World Cup being the most recent.