OTD| Mohammed Shami’s hat-trick against Afghanistan guided India to a great win in ODI World Cup 2019

On this day, back in 2019, Virat Kohli-led India overcame a major threat owing to Mohammed Shami’s last-over hat-trick as they went on to defeat Afghanistan by 11 runs to make it to the ICC World Cup 2019 semifinals. Afghanistan’s players, including the likes of Aftab Alam, Mohammed Nabi, and Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, all got struck out by India’s sensational pacer. Notably, this remarkable success was accomplished while efficiently defending 16 runs off his last over.

The right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami struck a hat-trick in the final over to help India upset Afghanistan by a thrilling 11 runs. The bowler achieved this by becoming the second-ever Indian to score a World Cup hat-trick, surpassing Chetan Sharma. Notably, Gulbadin Naib-led Afghanistan required 16 runs to win in six balls, and with three wickets in their hands at the time, they began the attack in the final over, ensuring a nail-biting finish to the game. Mohammad Nabi, who was already batting at 48*, smashed a boundary off the first delivery in the area of long-on to get to his half-century.

Meanwhile, after producing a dot ball, Shami threw Nabi a yorker, which he blasted right onto the long-on boundary for a catch in Hardik Pandya’s hands. The seamer finished off his hat-trick by removing Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman from his next two yorker deliveries. He also made history by becoming the first bowler to accomplish the mark in 2019.

On that day, Afghanistan surpassed expectations and declined to be an observer of India’s route to the semifinals. Afghan spinners performed superbly in reducing India’s notable batting lineup to 224 for 8. They backed it up with a gritty batting execution and remained in the chase all the way to the very end, owing to Mohammad Nabi’s gutsy half-century. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s stunning 48th over, which was followed by Shami’s hat-trick, prevented the Afghans from achieving a win over the Virat Kohli-led Indian side and ensured Men in Blue’s thrilling win over Afghanistan by 11 runs. The 33-year-old cricketer also played a crucial role in guiding India to the finals of the ODI World Cup in 2023.

Also Read: Australia defeated Pakistan to lift their 2nd ODI World Cup title in 1999