After 32 Years, Shami Takes India’s Second World Cup Hat-trick

Mohammed Shami hat-trick victims included Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Mohammad Shami finished with figures of 4 for 40 against Afghanistan.

(Photo: AP)

With 16 needed of the final over for Afghanistan, Mohammed Shami took a hat-trick to help India win a nail-bitter against Afghanistan. The Afghans were bowled out for 213 as India won the game by 11 runs to stay unbeaten in the tournament.

After going for a boundary of the first ball of the final over, Shami come back to dismiss Mohammed Nabi, who was looking good on 52 and threatening to take the game away from India. Nabi tried hoicking Shami over long-on but wascaught by Hardik Pandya at long-on to give India the much-needed breakthrough.

Aftab Alam then walked into bat and was dismissed off the very first delivery that he faced. Alam was bowled by Shami and so was Mujeeb Ur Rahman who was the last Afghanistan wicket to fall as India won a memorable World Cup game.

Shami, thus became second Indian bowler to take a World Cup hat-trick after Chetan Sharma took a hat-trick in the 1987 World Cup against New Zealand in Chennai.

Afghanistan gave India a real scare in the game, as the Indian batting line-up was tested by the spin trio from Afghanistan. Mohammed Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan tested the mighty India batting line-up.

Despite the real close game, Afghanistan ended up losing the game, which also means that they are still without a win in the World Cup campaign so far.