Published By: Rohit Chatterjee

On This Day (Sep. 6): Malinga’s Four Wickets in Four Balls Embarrasses the Kiwis

During his incredible spell, he also became the first cricketer to surpass 100 wickets in T20 internationals

On this day in 2019, Lasith Malinga created history in the last Twenty20 International match against New Zealand at Pallekele, thanks to his outstanding session, which saw him grab four wickets in four deliveries.

The Kiwi batting lineup was startled when Malinga removed Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme, and Ross Taylor. This astounding success replicated his previous performance in the 2007 World Cup in South Africa, when he claimed four wickets in four balls, demonstrating his exceptional bowling ability.

First to 100

This was Malinga's fifth hat-trick in international cricket, a record no other bowler has achieved. During his incredible spell, he also became the first bowler to surpass 100 wickets in T20 internationals.

Malinga overtook Shahid Afridi's 97-wicket tally to become the leading T20 wicket-taker. He reached the milestone by bowling Colin Munro, marking his 100th wicket in just his 76th match. Malinga's achievements cemented his place as a legend in cricket history.

New Zealand's whitewash in jeopardy

When New Zealand started their innings, a whitewash seemed inevitable. Sri Lanka had struggled on a tricky pitch, posting a score well below par. But Malinga made Sri Lanka's batting woes and the pitch conditions irrelevant.

In his second over, he changed the game. His third ball swung past Colin Munro's drive, clipping the leg stump on the next delivery, identically trapped Hamish Rutherford in front. A quick review from Malinga overturned the umpire's decision, igniting the crowd.

Malinga's hat-trick and beyond

The following two wickets were even more remarkable, coming against New Zealand's best batters of the T20 series. Colin de Grandhomme misjudged a yorker, thinking it was headed for his pads. Instead, the ball curved at the last second, missing his bat and shattering the stumps.

Malinga took off in celebration as the stadium erupted. Then came Ross Taylor. He got a boot to an outswing yorker, but it was plumb. Malinga wasn't finished; he dismissed Tim Seifert with another whole, swinging delivery. With just one wide, five wickets in nine balls left, New Zealand reeled at 23 for 5, staring at their lowest T20 total.

Collapse continues

After Malinga stepped out of the attack, the wickets fell rapidly. Three wickets fell in the ninth over: Daryl Mitchell was run out, followed by Akila Dananjaya bowling Scott Kuggeleijn with a delivery that bounced off the elbow. Mitchell Santner was stumped two balls later.

By the tenth over, New Zealand was struggling at 52 for 9. Sitting with Seth Rance, Tim Southee briefly threatened with three sixes in the 13th over, but Lakshan Sandakan ended the game by trapping Rance in front and restricting them to 88, sealing Sri Lanka's victory.

Key wickets and tight bowling

Earlier, New Zealand's spinners dominated Sri Lanka's batting lineup. Mitchell Santner led the charge with figures of 3 for 12, removing Kusal Perera and NiroshanDickwella, both caught at short fine-leg, before trapping debutant Lahiru Madushanka LBW with a straighter ball.

Todd Astle was also impressed, taking 3 for 28 in his first tour match. Tim Southee kept things tight with an economy rate of four. Sri Lanka's highest partnership was just 31, marred by poor shots and an unnecessary run-out.

The Pallekele crowd remained silent following Sri Lanka's dismal batting performance of 125, but they exploded into joy when Malinga (4-1-6-5) produced a great effort. During the evening's drama, Malinga achieved extraordinary feats, becoming the only bowler with two T20 hat-tricks, accounting for 5% of the 100 international hat-tricks in cricket history.

Sri Lanka won the T20I series with a scoreline of 2-1.