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Monday, 27 August 2018 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Mohammad Irfan bowled the most economical four-over spell in Twenty20 cricket history, but his team Barbados Tridents still finished on the losing side against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Irfan finished with remarkable figures of four overs, three maidens, one run and two wickets in their Caribbean Premier League match on Saturday.
The towering pacer from Pakistan got the wicket of Chris Gayle with his first ball and then returned to have Evin Lewis caught behind in his next over. But, until the very last ball of his unbroken four-over spell, he did not concede a run. In fact, but for the wicket balls, the batsmen never even made contact with Irfan’s deliveries.
However, after the 23 dot balls, the Patriots batsmen let loose and chased down the target of 148. Steve Smith conceded 27 runs in his second over that included four sixes.
No.3 Brandon King struck five sixes and four fours in his 49-ball 60, while Devon Thomas made 32 off 29. Their third-wicket stand to take Patriots from 7/2 to 95/3 set it up well for an easy six-wicket win with seven balls left.
The win kept them on top of the points table.
Earlier, Jason Holder’s 54 off 35 balls from No. 3 got the Tridents going after a sluggish start. Anton Devcich and Ben Cutting took two wickets each as Tridents posted 147/6.
“I’m really happy. I would’ve been happier if the team won, but I am happy that I bowled one of the best spells in T20 cricket,” said Irfan after the match.
“I liked bowling on the lively wicket, and I get extra bounce because of my height. So yes, a satisfying performance.”