‘Unplayable stuff’ – Twitter in awe of Chennai born Karthik Meiyappan as he picks first hat-trick of 20-20 World Cup 2022

It’s been just three days since the 20-20 World Cup began and the fans have already got to see some major upsets by Namibia and Scotland on the first two days. The third day of the World Cup brought another marvellous feat as UAE’s Karthik Meiyappan picked the first hat trick of the 20-20 World Cup 2022.

The incident took place during the sixth match of the competition. UAE won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Sri Lanka had their eyes set on a big total as they were 117/2 after 14.2 overs. However, Wrist Spinner Karthik Meiyappan had other plans. He first got the wicket of Bhanuka Rajapaksa on the fourth ball of the over who was caught at the deep extra cover while trying to go for a big shot. Meiyappan’s second scalp was Charith Asalanka who was caught behind by the wicketkeeper.

All eyes were on the wrist spinner as he came in to bowl his hat trick ball to Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka pressed forward failing to read the wrong’un and was bowled through the gate. As soon as the ball hit the stumps, the 22-year-old was ecstatic as he became the fifth bowler to pick a hat trick in the 20-20 World Cup. Notably, Meiyappan is a Chennai Born and he had also joined the Bangalore franchise training camp in Indian T20 League 2020 to help in their preparation.

Watch the hat trick here:

Meiyappan finished with the match figures of 3/19 in his four overs. UAE further managed to put a full stop to Sri Lanka’s smooth-flowing innings as they could only manage to reach 152/8 after their allotted 20 overs. Sri Lanka received a hammering defeat by 55 runs against Namibia in the opening encounter of the World Cup. A loss in this game will almost shut the doors on their Super 12 qualification.

The first ever hattrick of the event was taken by Australian fast bowler Brett Lee against Bangladesh in 2007. The second was taken by Curtis Campher of Ireland who achieved the feat against the Netherlands in 2021.  Campher ended up picking four wickets in four balls and is the only player to do so in the history of the tournament. The 2021 edition of the 20-20 World Cup saw two more hattricks by Wanindu Hasaranga and Kagiso Rabada who achieved the feat against South Africa and England respectively.

Meanwhile, here’s how Twitter reacted to Meiyappan’s incredible achievement: