Mumbai: England all-rounder Sam Curran etched his name into the record books after becoming only the second English cricketer to claim a hat-trick in T20 internationals. The landmark moment came during England’s clash against Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series.
Curran joined Chris Jordan, who achieved the feat in 2024, as the only England players to take a T20I hat-trick.
Stunning comeback spell
After conceding 20 runs earlier in his spell, Curran showed remarkable composure in the 16th over. He broke a dangerous 31-run partnership by dismissing Dasun Shanaka on the fourth ball. Off the very next delivery, Maheesh Theekshana attempted a big hit but found Jamie Overton in the deep.
Curran completed his hat-trick in style by cleaning up Matheesha Pathirana with a sharp delivery, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 129/9. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 133 in the following over. Despite being a little expensive, Curran ended with match-defining figures of 3/38 from three overs.
Rare feat against Sri Lanka
With this performance, Curran also entered an exclusive global list, becoming just the sixth bowler in T20I history to take a hat-trick against Sri Lanka. He joined an elite group featuring Jacob Oram, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, KP Meiyappan and Lockie Ferguson.
England take early series lead
England’s batting effort earlier saw them reach 125/4 in 15 overs. Rain then halted play, and with the visitors nine runs ahead of the DLS par score, they were declared winners by 11 runs. The result handed England a 1–0 lead in the series.
The Three Lions now have the chance to seal the series when the second T20I is played on February 1.
