ODI Hat-tricks

An ODI hat trick is an occasion when a bowler takes three wickets on three continuous deliveries in a One day International match. This event happens very rarely and in about 2500 One day International matches, only 24 hat tricks have been recorded. The term hat-trick was initially used in 1858 to describe HH Stephenson’s feat. In 1878, this term was used for the first time in print. Although, One day International cricket began on 5th January 1971, the first ODI hat-trick was recorded in the 158th One day International in September 1982 and was achieved by Jalal-ud-Din of Pakistan while playing against Australia.

Youngest and oldest player

The youngest player to take an One day International hat trick is Aaqib Javed of Pakistan, who achieved this feat when he was 19 years 81 days old. Similarly, the oldest player is Eddo Brandes of Zimbabwe, who attained this feat when he was 33 years 305 days old.

Multiple hat-tricks

There are only 3 cricketers who have taken 2 One day International hat tricks – Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka, Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan and Wasim Akram of Pakistan.

The sole spinner to take an One day International hat trick is Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan. Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka took 4 wickets in 4 deliveries against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup and is the singular bowler who has taken more than three continuous wickets. Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka is the singular bowler to take a hat-trick in the first three deliveries of a One day International match.