In the game of cricket, nothing is as rare and as thrilling as a double hat-trick. This incredible feat consists of a bowler dismissing four wickets in succession in four deliveries, pushing the normal hat-trick of three wickets to an even greater height.
This article explores the importance of a double hat-trick, how rare it is, the bowlers who have achieved it, and why it’s one of the most highly valued achievements in cricket.
What is a Double Hat-Trick?
Advertisement
A double hat-trick refers to a situation where a bowler dismisses four batsmen in four consecutive deliveries. Though a normal hat-trick is simply three wickets in three consecutive balls, a double hat-trick takes it a notch higher, where a bowler has to sustain their level of concentration and skill for one extra ball.
It is, therefore, a very hard and unusual achievement, showing not just the accuracy of the bowler but also their strength in coping with pressure in pressure-cooker situations.
The Uncommonness of a Double Hat-Trick
A double hat-trick is one of the uncommon achievements in cricket because it takes a lot of skill, timing, and a dash of luck to claim four wickets in four balls. Although numerous bowlers have claimed a common hat-trick, a double hat-trick is uncommon at both the international and domestic levels.
It demands that the bowler bowl flawless deliveries under immense pressure, usually in critical situations of the match. Hence, a mere few bowlers have succeeded in becoming part of the rare club of double hat-trick winners in cricket.
Bowlers Who Have Accomplished the Double Hat-Trick
A few bowlers have made history by attaining the double hat-trick, and these efforts have left a lasting influence on the game. Listed below are some of the most notable players to have achieved the rare feat:
- Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
One of the most prominent bowlers in the history of limited-overs cricket, Lasith Malinga, was the first cricketer to have a double hat-trick in international cricket. Malinga executed this incredible feat twice, once against South Africa in the 2007 ODI World Cup and again against New Zealand in a 2019 T20I.
His double hat-trick in the 2007 World Cup, in which he bowled out Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, and Makhaya Ntini in successive balls, had almost single-handedly pushed Sri Lanka into the game.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan’s shining star spinner Rashid Khan wrote history by being the first ever cricketer to record a double hat-trick in the sport of T20I.
It happened while facing Ireland in the year 2019 when, in just four deliveries, he got Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, and Simi Singh dismissed, earning his team the match. In a show of the best from him, with the ball in his hand, his 5-wicket tally of 27 was all in par.
- Curtis Campher (Ireland)
Advertisement
Curtis Campher, while representing Ireland during the 2021 T20 World Cup, took a double hat-trick against the Netherlands. He got rid of Colin Ackermann, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Edwards, and Roelof van der Merwe on four consecutive balls, becoming just one of a handful of bowlers in history to make such a record within the environment of a World Cup.
- Jason Holder (West Indies)
In 2022, Jason Holder of the West Indies joined the list of double hat-trick winners. He was able to dismiss Chris Jordan, Sam Billings, Adil Rashid, and Saqib Mahmood in the last over for four wickets in four balls against England to give his team an amazing victory.
- Waseem Yaqoob (Lesotho)
The latest addition to the elite list of double hat-trick bowlers is Lesotho’s Waseem Yaqoob. He did so in the 2024 ICC World Cup Sub-regional Africa Qualifier Group A match between Mali and Lesotho. Yaqoob’s great bowling performance of 6/18, taking four wickets off successive balls, led to a comprehensive 112-run victory for Lesotho over Mali.
- Hernan Fennell (Argentina)
The latest addition to the double hat-trick club is Argentina’s Hernan Fennell. Fennell registered this achievement in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Americas Qualifier match against the Cayman Islands. His four wickets in four balls were another landmark in the double hat-trick history.
Why is the Double Hat-Trick So Important?
A double hat-trick isn’t only a rare feat; it’s also one of the greatest things that can happen in a cricketing match. It needs top-class skill, deep knowledge of the game, and the power to stay concentrated under the highest amount of pressure.
What’s more, these landmarks often take place in the course of critical phases of a match, so they become even more remarkable. For example, Malinga’s game in the 2007 World Cup and Yaqoob’s 2024 performance played a crucial role in reversing their respective matches.
The rarity of a double hat-trick makes it all the more desirable. While many bowlers have snatched up regular hat-tricks, getting four wickets in as many balls is an altogether more challenging feat. The bowler is not only required to deliver a perfect line but also needs to have the mental strength to perform under pressure, usually when the match is on the knife’s edge.
The Legacy of the Double Hat-Trick
This is one of cricket’s most honored and revered achievements. Few bowlers have ever managed this remarkable feat, and each occurrence is etched in the annals of the game as a defining moment. For young bowlers, the double hat-trick is a standard of excellence that inspires them to test the limits of their abilities and achieve new heights in their careers as cricketers.
A Cricketing Milestone in History
In summary, a double hat-trick is a cricketing feat that involves a bowler dismissing four wickets within four successive deliveries. Since very few bowlers have achieved this impressive feat, it continues to be one of the rarest and most sought-after milestones in the sport.
Regardless of whether the event takes place during the World Cup or during regional qualifiers, every double hat-trick carries a special story, typically being a determining factor in reversing the momentum of the game.
As cricket moves forward, this feat will still be an inspiring force behind the shoulders of bowlers to exceed the boundaries that are set, keeping this historic feat on record for many more years to come.
ALSO READ: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United: Munro Accusses Iftikhar For Chucking The Ball In PSL 2025
Advertisement