Brett Lee etched his name in history by claiming the first-ever T20I hat-trick in 2007/08, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable chapter in international cricket. Since then, the format has witnessed numerous hat-tricks across different continents and conditions.
Among all bowlers, Lasith Malinga holds the unique distinction of being the only player to achieve this feat twice in T20I cricket. This article provides a comprehensive look at every hat-trick in T20I history, the countries that have produced the most hat-trick heroes, and the fascinating records that have emerged over nearly two decades of thrilling cricket.
Complete List of Hat-Trick Achievements in T20I Cricket (2007–2026)
The Twenty20 International format has grown exponentially since its inception, expanding from a handful of Full Member nations to include a vibrant ecosystem of Associate countries competing on the global stage.
This growth has brought diverse bowling talent to the forefront, with hat-tricks now recorded across six continents. The table below chronicles every hat-trick taken in T20I cricket from 2007 through 2026, featuring performances from established cricket powerhouses and emerging nations alike.
| Player | Match | Venue | Season | Victims |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Lee | Australia v Bangladesh | Cape Town | 2007/08 | Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Alok Kapali |
| JDP Oram | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 2009 | AD Mathews, CM Bandara, KMDN Kulasekara |
| TG Southee | New Zealand v Pakistan | Auckland | 2010/11 | Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal |
| NLTC Perera | Sri Lanka v India | Ranchi | 2015/16 | HH Pandya, SK Raina, Yuvraj Singh |
| SL Malinga | Sri Lanka v Bangladesh | Colombo | 2016/17 | Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mehedi Hasan Miraz |
| Faheem Ashraf | Pakistan v Sri Lanka | Abu Dhabi | 2017/18 | I Udana, ML Udawatte, MD Shanaka |
| Rashid Khan* | Afghanistan v Ireland | Dehradun | 2018/19 | KJ O’Brien, GH Dockrell, SC Getkate, Simi Singh |
| SL Malinga* | Sri Lanka v New Zealand | Pallekele | 2019 | C Munro, HD Rutherford, C de Grandhomme, LRPL Taylor |
| Mohammad Hasnain | Pakistan v Sri Lanka | Lahore | 2019/20 | PBB Rajapaksa, MD Shanaka, GSNFG Jayasuriya |
| Khawar Ali | Oman v Netherlands | Al Amerat | 2019/20 | AJ Staal, CN Ackermann, RE van der Merwe |
| N Vanua | Papua New Guinea v Bermuda | ICCA Dubai | 2019/20 | DC Stovell, KS Leverock, DAP Darrell |
| DL Chahar | India v Bangladesh | Nagpur | 2019/20 | Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Aminul Islam |
| AC Agar | Australia v South Africa | Johannesburg | 2019/20 | F du Plessis, AL Phehlukwayo, DW Steyn |
| A Dananjaya | Sri Lanka v West Indies | Antigua | 2020/21 | E Lewis, CH Gayle, N Pooran |
| Waseem Abbas | Malta v Belgium | Marsa | 2021 | Ashiqullah Said, Khalid Ahmadi, NSK Mehta |
| Sheraz Sheikh | Belgium v Malta | Marsa | 2021 | Amar Sharma, N Khanna, VP Thamotharam |
| NT Ellis | Australia v Bangladesh | Dhaka | 2021 | Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan |
| E Otieno | Kenya v Uganda | Entebbe | 2021 | D Muhumuza, K Waiswa, Bilal Hassan |
| KS Bagabena | Ghana v Seychelles | Rwanda | 2021/22 | SKDT Madusanka, Mazharul Islam, S Udhayan |
| C Campher* | Ireland v Netherlands | Abu Dhabi | 2021/22 | CN Ackermann, RN ten Doeschate, SA Edwards, RE van der Merwe |
| DA Blignaut | Germany v Italy | Almeria | 2021/22 | Jaspreet Singh, BBJL Perera, Baljit Singh |
| DM Nakrani | Uganda v Seychelles | Kigali | 2021/22 | P Byron, VL Mukesh, SR Rocket |
| P Aho | Nigeria v Sierra Leone | Lagos | 2021/22 | AB Kamara, M Kpaka, E Ernest |
| PWH de Silva | Sri Lanka v South Africa | Sharjah | 2021/22 | AK Markram, T Bavuma, D Pretorius |
| K Rabada | South Africa v England | Sharjah | 2021/22 | CR Woakes, EJG Morgan, CJ Jordan |
| H Fennell | Argentina v Panama | North Sound | 2021/22 | Mahmud Jasat, A Natubhai Ahir, D Ahir |
| JO Holder* | West Indies v England | Bridgetown | 2021/22 | CJ Jordan, SW Billings, AU Rashid, S Mahmood |
| Karan KC | Nepal v Papua New Guinea | Kirtipur | 2021/22 | CA Soper, SK Atai, N Pokana |
| JJ Smit | Namibia v Uganda | Windhoek | 2022 | S Ssesazi, F Nsubuga, J Miyagi |
| Khalid Ahmadi | Belgium v Malta | Waterloo | 2022 | Imran Ameer, Aaftab Alam Khan, VP Thamotharam |
| Syazrul Idrus | Malaysia v Thailand | Bangi | 2022 | S Desungnoen, J Pakhiaokajee, C Chatphaisan |
| K Senamontree | Thailand v Malaysia | Bangi | 2022 | Ibrahim Hassan, Ibrahim Rizan, L Shafeeg |
| LV Van Beek | Netherlands v Hong Kong | Bulawayo | 2022 | Nizakat Khan, SS McKechnie, Ehsan Khan |
| CPPM Sadun | Cyprus v Turkey | Vantaa | 2022 | Alta, Turkmen, Ulutuna |
| MG Bracewell | New Zealand v Ireland | Belfast | 2022 | MR Adair, BJ McCarthy, CA Young |
| S Wickramasekara | Czech Republic v Estonia | Vantaa | 2022 | Habib Khan, Maidul Islam, MMR Obili |
| Habib Khan | Estonia v France | Kerava | 2022 | S Santhirakumaran, Zain Ahmad, Jubaid Ahamed |
| Shahrukh Quddus | Kuwait v Bahrain | Al Amerat | 2022 | Umer Toor, Shahbaz Badar, Haider Butt |
| KP Meiyappan | UAE v Sri Lanka | Geelong | 2022/23 | PBB Rajapaksa, KIC Asalanka, MD Shanaka |
| Josh Little | Ireland v New Zealand | Adelaide | 2022/23 | Kane Williamson, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner |
| Tim Southee | India v New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | 2022/23 | Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar |
| Harsheed Chohan | Tanzania v Sierra Leone | Rwanda | 2022/23 | Abass Gbla, Miniru Kpaka, and Lansana Lamin |
| Rizwan Butt | Bahrain v Singapore | Bangi | 2022/23 | Avi Dixit, Abdul Rahman, Vinoth Baskaran |
| Mohammad Kamran | Spain v Isle of Man | Cartagena | 2022/23 | Luke Ward, Edward Beard, Christian Webster |
| Matt Henry | New Zealand v Pakistan | Lahore | 2023 | Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Saud Munir | Denmark v Norway | Brondby | 2023 | Qamar Mushtaque, Junaid Mehmood, M Shahbaz Butt |
| Mark Pavlovic | Serbia v Turkey | Sofia | 2023 | Mecit Ozturk, Muhammed Turkmen, Muhammet Kursat |
| Mark Pavlovic | Serbia v Croatia | Sofia | 2023 | L Stubbs, H Hajnic, A Faletar |
| Waseem Abbas | Malta v France | Marsa | 2023 | Zain Ahmad, Shayam Warnakulasuriya, Dawood Ahmadzai |
| Karim Janat | Afghanistan v Bangladesh | Sylhet | 2023 | Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed |
| Kabua Morea | Papua New Guinea v Philippines | Port Moresby | 2023 | Jordan Alegra, Josef Doctora, Amanpreet Sirah |
| Nicolaj Laegsgaard | Denmark v Jersey | Edinburgh (Golden) | 2023 | Julius Sumerauer, Charles Perchard, Elliot Miles |
| Kenneth Waiswa | Uganda v Rwanda | Rwanda | 2023 | Orchide Tuyisenge, Clinton Rubagumya, Oscar Manishimwe |
| Mohameed Taiwo | Nigeria v Sierra Leone | Lagos | 2023/24 | Raymond Coker, Yegbeh Jalloh, Miniru Kpaka |
| Sikandar Raza | Rwanda v Zimbabwe | Windhoek | 2023/24 | Muhammad Nadir, Z Bimenyimana, E Rukiriza |
| George Sesay | Sierra Leone v Botswana | Benoni | 2023/24 | Reginald Nehonde, Reynier Swart, Dhruvkumar Maisuria |
| Nuwan Thushara | Sri Lanka v Bangladesh | Sylhet | 2023/24 | Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah |
| Aqib Ilyas | Oman v Cambodia | Al Amerat | 2024 | Vimukthi Viraj, Etienne Beukes, Sharwan Godora |
| Pat Cummins | Australia v Bangladesh | North Sound | 2024 | Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Towhid Hridoy |
| Pat Cummins | Australia v Afghanistan | Kingstown | 2024 | Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib |
| Chris Jordan | England v United States of America | Bridgetown | 2024 | Ali Khan, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar |
| Waseem Yaqoob* | Lesotho v Mali | Dar-es-Salaam | 2024 | Amara Nimaga, Dramane Berthe, Mahamadou Malle, Yacouba Konate |
| Obed Harvey | Ghana v Mali | Dar-es-Salaam | 2024 | Amadou Fofana, Lamissa Sanogo, Mahamadou Malle |
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 2024/25 | Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka |
| Ridwan Abdulkareem | Nigeria v St Helena | Lagos | 2024/25 | Jamie Essex, Cliff Richards, Branden Leo |
| Hernan Fennell* | Argentina v Cayman Islands | Buenos Aires | 2024/25 | Troy Taylor, Alistair Ifill, Ronald Ebanks, Alessandro Morris |
| Khalid Ahmadi | Belgium v Portugal | Zemst | 2025 | Juan Henri, Siraj Ullah Khadem, Upen Shantu |
| Arun Yadav | Tanzania v Germany | Blantyre | 2025 | Hassan Khan, Fayaz Khan, V Jatinder Kumar |
| Aaftab Limdawala | Malawi v Germany | Blantyre | 2025 | Musaddiq Ahmed, Fayaz Khan, Muslim Yar |
| Waji Ul Hassan | Saudi Arabia v Qatar | Doha | 2025 | Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Arif Nasir Uddin, Owais Ahmed |
| Waqar Zalmai | Austria v Belgium | Latschach | 2025 | Oliver Herrington, Rafiulah Alokozai, Shafiullah Zakhel |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan v Afghanistan | Sharjah | 2025 | Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ibrahim Zadran |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton* | Namibia v Malawi | Harare | 2025 | Moazzam Baig, Kazim Somani, Suhail Vayani, Mike Choamba |
| Owais Ahmed | Qatar v Malaysia | Al Amerat | 2025/26 | Sharvin Muniandy, Khizar Hayat, Ainool Hafizs |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies v Bangladesh | Chattogram | 2025/26 | Nurul Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, Shoriful Islam |
| Owais Ahmed | Qatar v Afghanistan | Doha | 2025/26 | Mohammad Ishaq, Qais Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar |
| Usman Tariq | Pakistan v Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi | 2025/26 | Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza |
| Emile Rukiriza | Rwanda v Sierra Leone | Abuja | 2025/26 | Raymond Coker, Lansana Lamin, John Lassayo |
| Gede Priandana | Indonesia v Cambodia | Bali | 2025/26 | Shah Abrar Hussain, Nirmaljit Singh, Chanthoeun Rathanak |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan v West Indies | Dubai | 2025/26 | Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Brandon King |
Players marked with an asterisk (*) took 4 wickets in 4 balls
What began as a rare milestone has evolved into a truly global phenomenon, with hat-tricks now recorded by bowlers from over 40 nations spanning all corners of the cricketing world.
Nations Leading the T20I Hat-trick Charts
The distribution of hat-tricks across nations reveals not only individual brilliance but also the depth and quality of bowling attacks developed by different countries. While traditional cricket powerhouses have produced memorable hat-trick performances, several Associate nations have also contributed significantly, reflecting the democratization of T20 cricket and the rising standards across all levels of international competition.
Sri Lanka – The Undisputed Leaders in T20I Hat-tricks
Sri Lanka leads all nations in T20I hat-tricks, showcasing its rich bowling tradition. Lasith Malinga stands as the crown jewel, being the only bowler with two T20I hat-tricks-against Bangladesh (2016/17) and New Zealand (2019), where he took four wickets in four balls.
Contributions from Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, and Nuwan Thushara across diverse conditions highlight Sri Lanka’s bowling depth and tactical excellence in the shortest format.
Pakistan & Australia – Sharing Second Place
Pakistan and Australia tie for second place in T20I hat-tricks. Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq showcase their pace bowling pedigree.
Australia holds historical significance with Brett Lee’s first-ever T20I hat-trick (2007/08). Ashton Agar, Nathan Ellis, and Pat Cummins, who remarkably took two hat-tricks in the 2024 World Cup, demonstrate Australia’s bowling depth and ability to perform under the highest pressure on cricket’s biggest stages.
New Zealand – Sustained Excellence in T20I Bowling
New Zealand’s consistent hat-trick production reflects their excellent bowling structure. Tim Southee leads with two hat-tricks (vs Pakistan 2010/11, vs India 2022/23), mastering swing bowling and yorkers. Jacob Oram (2009), Michael Bracewell (2022), Matt Henry (2023), and Lockie Ferguson (2024/25) have all contributed.
This sustained excellence across 15 years demonstrates New Zealand’s superior cricket development system, tactical discipline, and ability to produce match-winners regardless of conditions or opposition.
Noteworthy Records and Statistical Milestones
The history of T20I hat-tricks is filled with remarkable individual achievements and intriguing statistical patterns that showcase the evolution and excitement of the format.
The Pioneer: First Hat-trick in T20I History
Brett Lee of Australia bowled the first-ever T20I hat-trick against Bangladesh at Cape Town’s Newlands in 2007/08. Using raw pace and lethal yorkers, Lee dismissed Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, and Alok Kapali consecutively.
This historic moment in the format’s infancy signaled that T20Is would showcase extraordinary individual performances. Lee’s pioneering achievement set a benchmark and inspired countless bowlers to pursue similar glory in subsequent years.
Record Holder: Most Hat-tricks by an Individual Bowler
Lasith Malinga remains the only bowler with two T20I hat-tricks. His unique round-arm action, deadly yorkers, and slower balls made him unplayable in death overs. His first hat-trick came against Bangladesh (2016/17), while his second against New Zealand (2019) was spectacular, four wickets in four balls. Malinga’s exceptional pressure-handling ability and consistent excellence cement his legacy as one of T20 cricket’s greatest-ever bowlers.
The Ultimate Feat: Four Wickets in Four Balls
Seven bowlers have achieved the extraordinary feat of four wickets in four consecutive balls: Rashid Khan (2018/19), Lasith Malinga (2019), Curtis Campher (2021/22), Jason Holder (2021/22), Waseem Yaqoob (2024), Hernan Fennell (2024/25), and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (2025). This achievement requires exceptional skill, perfect execution, pressure handling, and sometimes fortunate circumstances.
These rare moments demonstrate T20 cricket’s unpredictability and the aggressive mindset modern bowlers embrace.
Bowlers With Multiple Hat-tricks in Their Career
Eight bowlers have claimed multiple T20I hat-tricks: Lasith Malinga (2), Pat Cummins (2, both in the 2024 World Cup), Tim Southee (2), Waseem Abbas (2), Mark Pavlovic (2, same tournament), Khalid Ahmadi (2), Owais Ahmed (2), and Hernan Fennell (2). These achievements highlight sustained excellence and mental fortitude under pressure.
Pat Cummins’ back-to-back World Cup hat-tricks stand out in particular, showcasing an unmatched ability to perform when the stakes are highest.
The Most Frequent Victims: Bangladesh
Bangladesh holds the unwanted record of being dismissed by hat-tricks more frequently than any other team in T20I history, falling victim to Australia, Sri Lanka, India, and West Indies multiple times. While Bangladesh possesses world-class batters and competitive teams, their middle and lower order have occasionally been vulnerable to high-quality bowling spells.
This statistic also reflects Bangladesh’s extensive T20I participation across diverse conditions and opposition, providing numerous opportunities for bowlers globally.
The Global Reach: Associate Nations Making Their Mark
Associate Nations have significantly contributed to T20I hat-trick history. Malta, Belgium, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Oman, Nepal, Denmark, Serbia, Estonia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Qatar, and Indonesia have all produced hat-trick takers.
This widespread achievement reflects growing infrastructure, coaching quality, and competitive opportunities beyond traditional Full Members. T20 cricket has become genuinely global, with Associate nation hat-tricks symbolizing rising competitiveness and narrowing gaps.
Hat-tricks on the Grandest Stage: ICC T20 World Cups
World Cup hat-tricks carry exceptional prestige due to intense tournament pressure. Pat Cummins delivered two hat-tricks in the 2024 T20 World Cup (vs Bangladesh and Afghanistan)-an unparalleled tournament achievement.
Chris Jordan (vs USA 2024), Josh Little (vs New Zealand 2022), and Karthik Meiyappan (vs Sri Lanka 2022) have also claimed World Cup hat-tricks. These performances demonstrate extraordinary nerve and skill, with bowlers executing plans perfectly under cricket’s brightest lights.
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Conclusion: Hat-Tricks in International T20 Cricket are rare!
Hat-tricks in Twenty20 International cricket represent the highest level of bowling excellence in the game’s most fast-paced format. They demand precision, composure under pressure, and the ability to outthink top batters in consecutive deliveries.
From Brett Lee’s historic first in 2007 to recent achievements across multiple continents, hat-tricks highlight T20 cricket’s global reach. Whether achieved by legends like Lasith Malinga or players from emerging nations, each hat-trick reflects skill, determination, and the unpredictable nature that defines modern T20I cricket.
