From Pace to Spin: The Legendary Hat-Tricks in T20 World Cup Saga

T20 cricket moves at lightning speed. Miss a moment, and the match can slip away. But in this whirlwind format, nothing stops time quite like a hat-trick. Three wickets in three balls. One bowler. Total chaos.

In the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it has happened just eight times—each moment flipping matches on their head and etching the bowler’s name into cricket folklore.

The Original Shock: Brett Lee Sets the Benchmark (2007)

The story begins at the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Australia’s Brett Lee unleashed raw pace and aggression against Bangladesh, claiming the first-ever T20 World Cup hat-trick. It wasn’t just a milestone—it set the gold standard for fast bowling in the shortest format.

Lee’s spell announced that T20 cricket would be fearless, fast, and unforgiving.

A Long Silence, Then a Storm: 2021 Breaks the Drought

For 14 years, the hat-trick remained elusive. Then came 2021—and with it, a flood of unforgettable moments.

Ireland’s Curtis Campher stunned the Netherlands, becoming the first player to take a T20 World Cup hat-trick in the modern era. What followed was even more extraordinary.

Spin, Pace, and Pressure: 2021 Delivers Drama

Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga used deception and control to dismantle South Africa, proving spin could dominate under pressure. Soon after, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada returned the favour, tearing through England’s batting order in a high-stakes clash that left fans breathless.

Three hat-tricks in one tournament—something few thought possible.

New Faces, Same Magic: 2022 Keeps the Streak Alive

The following edition continued the trend. Karthik Meiyappan of the UAE stunned former champions Sri Lanka with a brilliant spell of leg-spin, while Ireland’s Josh Little rattled New Zealand, underlining how associate nations were no longer just participants—they were contenders.

Cummins Does the Unthinkable (2024)

If hat-tricks are rare, Pat Cummins did something almost unbelievable in 2024. The Australian captain took two hat-tricks in the same tournament, against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

It was a display of elite skill, leadership, and ruthless execution—one that elevated Cummins into a league of his own.

The Latest Chapter: Chris Jordan’s Clinical Finish

England’s Chris Jordan added his name to the elite list by ripping through the United States’ batting lineup. Calm under pressure, precise at the death, Jordan reminded everyone why experience still matters in T20 cricket.

Why Hat-Tricks Matter in T20 Cricket

A hat-trick in T20 isn’t just about statistics. It’s momentum. It’s belief. It’s the moment a match turns upside down. In a format defined by unpredictability, these bursts of brilliance are pure theatre.

Looking Ahead: Who’s Next?

With another T20 World Cup on the horizon, the question lingers: who will be the next bowler to rewrite the script?

Because in T20 cricket, all it takes is three balls to change everything.