Pakistan's young bowler, Mohammed Hasnain, makes history against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are currently playing a historical series against Pakistan. The island nation is on a tour to Pakistan for the first time after ten years since the 2009 terror attack. The three-match ODI series between the two teams was won by Pakistan with a 2-0 margin as the hosts won the final two ODIs with the first game getting abandoned due to rain. 

The first of the three-match T20I series was held at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Saturday. Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

Sri Lankan openers provided a perfect start as Danushka Gunathilaka smashed his second half-century in T20I cricket. The visitors were 135/2 at one stage and were eyeing a powerful finish. However, it wasn't to be as young pacer, Mohammed Hasnain, removed Bhanuka Rajapaksa on the final ball of the 16th over.  

He once again came into a bowl in the 19th over and inflicted the damage on his first two deliveries of the over. Hasnain removed both Dasun Shanaka and Shehan Jayasuriya in successive balls to account for a hat-trick completed across two different overs. 

With his hat-trick, the 19-year old Hasnain became the youngest cricketer to claim a T20I hat-trick. This was a special feat for the youngster playing in his second T20I for Pakistan. Chasing 166 to win, Pakistan were off to an awful start and none of their batsmen got going which made it difficult for the home team. The Men in Green were eventually bowled out for just over 100 runs.

Sri Lanka clinched the first T20I by 64 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This meant that the record hat-trick from the youngster, unfortunately, came in a losing cause.The next game between these two sides is scheduled to happen at the same venue on Monday.

Cover image credits: ESPNCricinfo