Shadab Khan recorded a hattrick in LPL 2024 [X]
Pakistan's premier spin-bowling allrounder Shadab Khan had an outstanding start to the ongoing Lanka Premier League season as he recorded a sensational hattrick in Colombo Strikers' tournament opener against Kandy Falcons.
The incident occurred during the 15th over of Kandy's innings when they were in a spot of bother, placed at 146 for five in pursuit of a 199-run target.
Colombo skipper Thisara Perera's decision to bowl Shadab his final over proved to be a masterstroke, with the wily leg spinner dismantling Kandy with a hattrick.
Watch - Shadab Khan derails Kandy with a hattrick in LPL 2024
After conceding six runs off his first three deliveries, Shadab bowled a short ball outside the off stump which Kandy's captain Wanindu Hasaranga pulled straight back past him.
However, he didn't get the elevation as the ball landed in the safe hands of Muhammad Waseem, who took a simple catch at long off.
After Hasaranga departed, Shadab bowled a lethal googly to castle his national teammate Agha Salman.
On the final ball of his spell, Shadab trapped Pavan Rathnayake plumb in front of the stumps, registering a memorable hattrick.
Thus, Shadab, who earlier contributed 20 runs with the bat, finished his spell with sensational figures of 4/22, earning the player of the match award.
His phenomenal all-round performance ensured a winning start for Colombo Strikers, who will meet Galle Marvels in their second group-stage fixture.