In a Group A match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, UAE leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan took an incredible hat-trick against Sri Lanka. He said the historic event hasn't hit him yet and that it would have been even more satisfying if his team had won.
Meiyappan, who was born in Chennai and began honing his cricket skills in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in his early adolescence, delivered a "magical piece of bowling" that cemented his place in cricket history. The middle order of Sri Lanka was destroyed by the 22-year-hat-trick. old's
Only five men's players have ever taken a hat-trick at an ICC Men's T20: Brett Lee, Kagiso Rabada, Curtis Campher, Wanindu Hasaranga, and now Meiyappan.
There were not many hat-tricks in the game of a greater calibre than Meiyappan's. It was a breathtaking moment, and the spinner went through each delivery with reporters after the game:
First Wicket: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 5 (8), was caught at deep cover by Kashi Daud.
Meiyappan said, "First up against Rajapaksa, I thought the length side was a long boundary for him. "I assumed he would try to drag me down there because, according to my memory, he was five-from-five or something similar. He attempted to cut it off when I started to push it, but Kashif was already on the boundary when he did so. The first one was that."
Second wicket: Charith Asalanka, 0 (1) - edged behind to Vriitya Aravind
"And then Asalanka walked in. That was a no-brainer for me. I was going to bowl around and straight up. Vriitya took an amazing catch."
Third wicket:Dasun Shanaka, 0 (1) - clean bowled through the gate
"I was experiencing the feelings of being on a hat-trick when Dasun entered, but all I wanted to do was bowl at the stumps. And after that, I have no control over what occurs. Again, though, I just bowled around him, and I believe he chose it (incorrectly) and attempted to go over cover. But, yes.
"Before the hat-trick ball, I was clear about my plans. And nobody entered. But the wicket-keeper and I always talk while we bowl. We conversed in Tamil because we both hail from the same city. Before that, we had a talk during which I just said what I wanted to.
A hat-trick for the UAE in T20 Internationals was noteworthy because it had never happened before. However, Sri Lanka's restricted 152/8 proved to be too much for UAE's hitters, who collapsed to 73 all out despite Meiyappan's 3/19 off four overs.
With Namibia remaining in their final Group A match and the UAE having already suffered two defeats, their World Cup season is almost gone. And as a result, Meiyappan is left with a mixed emotion.
"The idea that I was the first (UAE bowler) to get a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup still hasn't sunk in. Amazingly, it is a proud moment. But if we had triumphed in the game tonight, it would have been more sweeter and better "The ICC cited the UAE spinner's statement.
"Making the team to compete in the World Cup was undoubtedly a success in and of itself, but playing in the Super 12s was the major objective. As of right now, I believe the World Cup in India in 2023 will be important for us moving ahead. We will be preparing for that "Added he.
After a performance and a magnificent occasion like this one, young Meiyappan's futures are undoubtedly bright.