Taking a hat-trick in international cricket is a rare and prestigious achievement. It is a memorable moment for any bowler and all the bowlers have the dream of achieving it for their country in international cricket.
Whenever a bowler takes a hat-trick, their achievement gets highlighted in sports websites as journalists celebrate their success. A hat-trick often also results in a significant momentum shift in the game. It can turn the tide in favour of the bowling team and demoralize the batting side. The psychological impact of a hat-trick can influence the course of the match.
When it comes to online Sports betting, bowlers who bag hat-tricks, get a lot of brand value and users love placing bets on them.
Hat-tricks showcase the individual brilliance and skill of a bowler. Successfully dismissing three batsmen in consecutive deliveries requires a combination of precision, strategy, and sometimes a bit of luck.
In this article, we look at the top 10 bowlers with most hat-tricks in international matches:
1. Lasith Malinga (5 Hat-Tricks)
With 5 Hat-Tricks under his belt, Lasith Malinga has established his name as one of the most consistent and powerful pacers of all time. 3 of his Hat-Tricks have come in ODI cricket and 2 have come in T20I cricket, and he was one of the most feared cricketers of all time.
His first Hat-Trick came versus South Africa on 28th March 2007 and then his 2nd one came during the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 against Kenya. Later in that year, the Sri Lankan pacer took a Hat-Trick against Australia.
In T20I cricket, the unique sling-action bowler, took Hat-Tricks against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Notably, he had taken 4 wickets in 4 balls against New Zealand in 2019, when his 2nd Hat-Trick had come.
2. Wasim Akram (4 Hat-Tricks)
The “Sultan of Swing”, Wasim Akram has had 4 Hat-Tricks in his kitty. 2 of them came in ODIs and 2 came in Test matches, while playing for Pakistan. Way back in 1989 versus West Indies, Wasim Akram logged his 1st Hat-Trick, and he didn’t ever look back.
Then in 1990 versus Australia, Akram registered his 2nd Hat-Trick. A interesting thing about his Test Hat-Tricks is that he registered both of them in a single Test match (in 2 innings) against Sri Lanka in 1999.
3. Stuart Broad (2 Hat-Tricks)
English pacer Stuart Broad has taken 2 Hat-Tricks during his playing days and goes down in history as one of the best English pacers of all time. Way back in 2011 versus India in Nottinghamshire, Stuart Broad had taken his first Hat-Trick.
On 20th June 2014, Stuart Broad became the only English bowler to take 2 Test Hat-Tricks after he simply rattled the batting department of Sri Lanka. His scalps were Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal and Shaminda Eranga.
4. Kuldeep Yadav (2 Hat-Tricks)
Indian chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has taken 2 Hat-Tricks and has simply bamboozled the opposition batters with his wily and skilful bowling. He took his first one in the 2nd ODI versus Australia in Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2017.
Kuldeep Yadav’s 2nd Hat-Trick came against West Indies in 2019 and he dismissed Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope. India had registered a humongous victory of 107 runs in that game.
5. Thisara Perera (2 Hat-Tricks)
Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera is next on our list of most Hat-Tricks in international cricket. He has taken 2 Hat-Tricks and his first came against Pakistan in 2012 in Colombo. Perera had dismissed Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed in that game.
His second Hat-Trick came against India in 2016 and his wickets included Hardik Pandya, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh.
6. Brett Lee (2 Hat-Tricks)
Australian legendary speedster Brett Lee finds his name etched in the history books as he has taken 2 Hat-Tricks in international cricket. Lee was always an intimidating bowler as his sheer pace and consistent line and lengths prompted him to outfox the opposition batters.
Notably, Brett Lee has taken both his Hat-Tricks in World Cups. His first Hat-Trick came in the ICC ODI World Cup 2003 versus Kenya and his second one came against Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007.
7. Chaminda Vaas (2 Hat-Tricks)
Another Sri Lankan in this list, Chaminda Vaas has 2 Hat-Tricks up his sleeve. Vaas took his first one versus Zimbabwe in December 2001 and had logged the best bowling figures of 19/8 in ODI cricket.
Then in the ICC ODI World Cup 2003, Chaminda Vaas had logged 3 wickets versus Bangladesh and had powered Sri Lanka to a fantastic victory of 10 wickets. His wickets were Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful and Ehsanul Haque and it came in the first 3 deliveries of the Bangladesh innings.
8. Saqlain Mushtaq (2 Hat-Tricks)
Considered as one of the off-spinners of all time and the chief architect of the ‘doosra’ delivery, Saqlain Mushtaq too has 2 Hat-Tricks under his belt. The bowler from Lahore bagged his first one against Zimbabwe in 1996.
Incidentally, his second Hat-Trick came against Zimbabwe as well, during the ICC ODI World Cup 1999.
9. Trent Boult (2 Hat-Tricks)
Kiwi speedster Trent Boult is one of the most intimidating and menacing bowlers from New Zealand. His first Hat-Trick came versus Pakistan in 2018 and his scalps were Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez.
Boult’s 2nd Hat-Trick came during the ICC ODI World Cup 2019 in England, versus Australia. His wickets included Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff.
10. Jimmy Matthews (2 Hat-Tricks)
Leg-break bowler from Australia, Jimmy Matthews has 2 Hat-Tricks in his kitty. He used to send thunderbolts down the spines of the opposition batters and was considered as one of the best all-rounders of Australia during that time.
Matthews’ both Hat-Tricks came in the same Test match against South Africa in 1912 and this speaks volumes about his bowling prowess. He was one of the best spinners from Australia and had an enduring legacy of his own.
Photo credit: Alamy
