Caribbean Premier League has seen a lot of sensational cricketing action every season. But CPL had to wait for 4 long years to witness its first hat-trick. CPL first began in 2013 and the first hat-trick was seen in CPL 2017. In this article, we will see the two bowlers who have taken a hat-trick in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). We will also see all the batsmen out, the details of that hat-trick and the match outcome.
1. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan was the first bowler to take a hat-trick in Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He took CPL’s first hat-trick on September 6, 2017, playing for his team Guyana Amazon Warriors.
The opponent team was Jamaica Tallawahs. Below image shows the three wickets in the hat-trick taken by Rashid Khan 
Rashid Khan’s three wickets which formed the Hat-trick (in detail):
So it was the play-off match of the CPL 2017. It was an all-important Eliminator match. The team to win was to play in the Qualifier-2 against Trinbago Knight Riders.
Rashid Khan did his job well by taking this hat-trick in a very important stage of the match. Jamaica Tallawahs were batting on 116/4 in 14 overs. They looked in a very good position as 6 overs were still remaining and 6 wickets were in hand.
At that stage, Warriors Captain Rayad Emrit gave the ball to Rashid Khan, who then produced one of the most memorable overs of the CPL.
1st Wicket: Andre McCarthy – 14 runs (8 balls)
Sri Lanka’s star wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara was at the non-striker’s end, while right-handed Andre McCarthy was on strike, batting on 14 runs in just 7 balls.
Rashid Khan came running-in with his short but quick run-up and bowled a beautiful, flighted delivery.
The ball pitched just outside the off-stump line in a full-length area. The flight and the fuller-length enticed Andre McCarthy to drive powerfully in the covers region.
But little did he know that it was not a normal leg-spin delivery. Yes, it was the famous Rashid Khan googly.
The ball span in hitting the inner edge of the bat and went on to hit the leg stump! It took a few seconds for McCarthy to realize how badly he was deceived.
Rashid Khan did a subdued celebration as he pointed finger upwards, hinting McCarthy he was out and that it was time to go back to the dressing room.
Cheerleaders were dancing, fans cheered and one fan was dancing crazily with a long pole having a big Guyana Amazon Warrior flag. Jamaica Tallawahs scoreboard showed 116/5.
2nd Wicket: Jonathan Foo – 0 (1 ball)
Right-hand batsman Jonathan Foo was the next batsman.
As he was taking his stance, Rashid Khan was ready to pounce with another delivery and was full-focussed, just like a crouching tiger.
He looked in total control and pre-decided on how exactly he was going to bowl the next delivery. Rashid Khan took his few powerful strides, jumped and bowled another beautiful googly.
The ball pitched on the off-stump line in a full-length area and Jonathan Foo thought he can easily drive in the mid-off region. But the ball span in sharply. It went in through the bat and the pad and hit the leg-stump.
Jonathan Foo was out on duck! And Rashid Khan started running with his hands spread wide and the right-hand finger doing small continuous circles. Typical Rashid Khan celebration!
Rashid Khan was smiling broadly and why shouldn’t he? He was on a hat-trick! Jamaica Tallawahs were now 6 down for 116 runs.
3rd Wicket: Rovman Powell – 0 (1 ball)
Next walked-in right-handed Rovman Powell.
The non-striker Kumar Sangakkara, who was batting quite well, must be feeling sad seeing the way the wickets had fallen. The last thing he wanted was another batsman failing to read a Rashid Khan googly and getting out.
But that was exactly what he got. Let’s see how. Rovman Powell walked in and immediately the umpire walked up to Powell.
The umpire told him about the team warning and asked him not to run on the pitch. Earlier batsmen had also run on the pitch.
So now, if he runs on the pitch, 5 runs would be deducted from the team score. Thus Rovman Powell was now under double pressure. Kumar Sangakkara walked up to him and advised something.
Rashid was ready with his ball. As soon as Rovman Powell took his stance, Rashid rushed in and bowled one more spectacular googly.
This time the ball pitched way outside off-stump in a good length area.
Powell did the same mistake his teammates did. He tried to drive the ball. But the ball turned in sharply, did not even touch the bat and went on to rattle the off-stump. Zinga bells lit up! And so did the crowd.
The crowd went berserk. Rashid Khan ran around with his hands spread wide and this time roaring too. His Warriors teammates showered him with congratulatory hugs and praises.
Rovman Powell walked towards the dressing room with his head down. Utterly disappointed. Kumar Sangakkara on the non-striker’s end was helpless. Just after the wicket, he gestured in disappointment, asking Powell how can you miss that. It was obviously another googly and not leg-spin.
Jamaica Tallawahs were now in trouble on 116/7. And thus Rashid Khan became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Match outcome
Guyana Amazon Warriors later won this match by 5 wickets. Rashid Khan’s hat-trick was well supported by Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman Luke Ronchi, who scored 70 runs from 33 balls. They chased the target of 169 runs in 17.5 overs. Thus Guyana Amazon Warriors became eligible to play the Qualifier-2 against Trinbago Knight Riders.
However, they lost the Qualifier-2. Trinbago Knight Riders reached the final to face St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Trinbago Knight Riders later won the final of the CPL 2017.
Check next page –>
Leave a Reply