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#OTD in 1999 | Saqlain Mushtaq became the second player to grab two hat-tricks in ODIs

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On this day in 1999, the legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took a hat-trick in the ICC World Cup Super-Six fixture against Zimbabwe at The Oval. He also became the second player after Wasim Akram to secure two hat-tricks in the 50-overs format. His first hat-trick came against Zimbabwe in 1996 at Peshawar. 


The Pakistan team had topped the league stage points table with four wins in five league matches. Ahead of this league match, they had lost their two encounters against India and South Africa.  


The Akram-led side opted to bat first in a crunch game. The likes of Saeed Anwar (103), Wajahatullah Wasti (40), and Shahid Afridi (37) were the key contributors to the team, posting a total of 271 on the board. Heath Streak and Henry Olonga picked two wickets each. 


In reply, the opener Neil Johnson played a fighting knock of 54, but the middle-order failed to contribute in a hefty manner.



With 123/7 in 40 overs, it was certainly a done and dusted affair. But, Mushtaq came to bowl and produced impressive performances, which gave joy to the crowds in the stands and cricket fans back at home as well. 


In the first ball of the over, Olonga charged but missed the ball by a fair margin, and was stumped by Moin Khan. However, the patience of the fast bowler lasted 31 balls, wherein he could score only five runs. 


A similar type of dismissal happened in the subsequent delivery, with Adam Huckle was beaten by the spin and was nowhere close to the ball. 


A total of five fielders were positioned around Pommie Mbangwa for an all-important ball. Mbangwa could not judge the ball, failed to make contact with the bat, and was adjudged LBW. 


This wicket helped Pakistan to win by a significant margin of 148 runs and entered the World Cup semi-finals. In the penultimate stage, they chase down the score of 241 set by New Zealand. However, they emerged as runners-up after losing to Australia. 

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