County Championship: Mohammad Abbas registers hat-trick for Hampshire
What's the story
Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Abbas registered an incredible hat-trick in his second match for English County side Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
He picked up five wickets in just 13 balls to destroy the Middlesex batting line-up on Day 2.
Overall, the Pakistani seamer scalped a six-wicket haul as Middlesex were bowled out for just 79.
Here is more on the same.
Abbas
Abbas struck in his first over
Abbas, who hasn't represented Pakistan in a while, completed an astonishing hat-trick.
He dismissed Max Holden, Nick Gubbins, and Stevie Eskinazi on his fifth, sixth, and seventh ball respectively.
Abbas went on to take take three more wickets to dent the plight of Middlesex.
He was unplayable on several occasions, having registered remarkable figures of 11-6-11-6 in the first innings.
Twitter Post
Here is how Abbas completed his hat-trick
LUNCH | 5⃣ wickets, including an incredible hat-trick, from @RealMAbbas226 sees us reduce Middlesex to 23-5
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 16, 2021
👇SOUND ON 🔊
📺https://t.co/vVlxv4bMSu Hampshire Cricket App 📲 pic.twitter.com/8ovrMK6CeF
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Third Hampshire bowler in four seasons to take a hat-trick
Abbas has become the third Hampshire bowler in four seasons to take a hat-trick after James Fuller (2020) and Kyle Abbott (2018). He fell short of beating the all-time record for the fastest five-wicket haul (Ryan Patel took five-for in 11 balls, 2018).
Pitch
The pitch had something for me: Abbas
"I took two wickets and before I bowled for my third wicket I realised Ramadan is going on and that is lucky for us, and Friday is a day that is lucky for me," said Abbas.
"I have played here before when I was with Pakistan and the pitch had something in it for me, and I bowled on point in the right areas."
Match
A look at the match summary
After electing to bat, Hampshire racked up a solid 319 in 110.2 overs.
The likes of Ian Holland (64), Sam Northeast (63), and Kyle Abbott (58) made notable contributions.
Meanwhile, Middlesex were bundled out for 79, with Abbas taking a six-fer.
In the second innings on Day 2, Hampshire finished on 204/2 at stumps. Holland (90) and Northeast (99) remain unbeaten.