On Tuesday, Pakistan’s versatile cricketer Shadab Khan showcased his talent with a remarkable hat-trick in his debut match for Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The 25-year-old’s outstanding performance against Kandy Falcons at Pallekelle included dismissing Wanindu Hasaranga, Salman Ali Agha, and Pavan Rathnayake in consecutive deliveries. Khan finished with impressive figures of 4/22 as Colombo Strikers bowled out Kandy for 147 runs in just 15.5 overs.
Earlier in the match, Strikers set a challenging target of 199 runs in 20 overs, with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Thisara Perera contributing significantly with scores of 48 and 38 respectively. Khan himself added a quickfire 20 runs off 17 balls, while Chamika Karunaratne’s explosive 25 off 10 deliveries bolstered their total.
In response, Kandy Falcons struggled against Strikers’ bowling attack, ultimately falling short by 51 runs. Khan’s stellar debut performance marked a strong comeback after a challenging T20 World Cup 2024 campaign where he faced difficulties, notably against India.
Celebrating his achievement on Instagram, Khan expressed gratitude, saying, “God is great.” His stellar performance in the LPL underscores his resilience and skill, reaffirming his prowess as a key player in international cricket.
