In 2007, on 28 March, Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga became the first bowler in the world to take 4 wickets in 4 balls in international cricket. Lasith Malinga achieved this feat against South Africa in the 26th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup. That match was played at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown. Due to the killer bowling of ‘Yorker King’ in that match, South Africa, standing on the cusp of victory, had to score just 4 runs and had to lose 4 wickets.
In that 50-over match, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat. Team scored 209 runs in 49.3 overs. Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 58 runs in this. Russell Arnold also played a half-century for Sri Lanka. Kumar Sangakkara contributed 28 and Sanath Jayasuriya contributed 26 runs. Chasing the target, South Africa made 206 runs for 5 wickets in 44.4 overs.
After this Malinga wreaked havoc. He bowled Shaun Pollock on the fifth ball of the 45th over. In his place came Andrew Hall. Malinga got him caught by Upul Tharanga at cover. Chaminda Vaas brings the next over. Jacques Kallis took a run on the first ball of Vaas.
Robin Peterson had the strike on the second ball. However, Pietersen could not score a single run in the next five balls. South Africa Still needed 3 runs to win. Jayawardene again gave the ball to Malinga for the 47th over and the story after that was recorded in the pages of history.
Lasith Malinga On the first ball of the 47th over, Jacques Kallis was caught behind the wicket by Kumar Sangakkara. Kallis was dismissed after scoring 86 runs. With this Malinga completed his hat-trick. However, he did not stop here. He had to create history. He bowled Makhaya Ntini on the next ball.
Lasith Malinga also became the first bowler in the world to take 4 wickets in 4 balls in international cricket. Talking about the match, Malinga’s bowling was remarkable. He brought the team to the brink of victory, but Sri Lanka lost the match against South Africa by one wicket.