Saqib Mahmood Makes T20I History with Triple-Wicket Maiden
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Synopsis
On January 31, England's fast bowler Saqib Mahmood achieved a remarkable milestone by recording the first-ever triple-wicket maiden in men's T20 internationals, striking down India's top order in a single over during the fourth T2OI held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Key Takeaways
- Saqib Mahmood's historic triple-wicket maiden.
- First-ever in men's T20 internationals.
- India's top order collapsed in a single over.
- Mahmood's return after visa-related issues.
- Struggles of key Indian batsmen in the series.
Pune, Jan 31 (NationPress) England’s pace sensation Saqib Mahmood carved his name into the record books with a stunning triple-wicket maiden, the first of its kind in men’s T20 internationals, as he dismantled India’s top order in a single over during the fourth T2OI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Mahmood charged in for his initial over, with England employing a short-ball tactic, placing immense pressure on India’s batsmen right from the start. Sanju Samson was the first casualty, misjudging a pull shot that went straight to Brydon Carse at deep square leg, departing after scoring just one run.
Tilak Varma followed suit, edging his very first delivery to Jofra Archer, who executed a brilliant catch at short third, leaving Varma with a duck. The tension escalated when Suryakumar Yadav, renowned for his 360-degree shot-making, popped a rising delivery straight to short mid-wicket, where Carse snatched his second catch of the over, dismissing Yadav after just four balls. Yadav has struggled throughout the series, accumulating only 12 and 14 runs over two matches while being dismissed for ducks in the other two. Sanju Samson has also faced challenges with his form during the series.
Mahmood was making his debut in the ongoing T20I series after being excluded from the playing XI in the initial three matches. The 27-year-old had been unable to attend a training camp with the England squad in the UAE due to delays in securing his Indian visa. Mahmood experienced similar visa-related issues in the past; in 2019, he was replaced in the England Lions squad for a tour of India because of visa delays. This past year, a comparable situation prevented him from traveling to India for a pre-season camp with Lancashire.
At the time of this report, India was struggling at 57 for 4 in 7.2 overs.
–IANS
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