Trent Boult Bags Hat-Trick To Shatter Pakistan

New Zealand quick Trent Boult has bagged a hat-trick in the opening game of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, shattering Pakistan batting.

It was just the third over in the game and Boult was bowling at a bullet-like pace with swinging both sides.

His first scalp was the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman who was cramped up for room and length ball on the pad that further swung in to disturb the furniture. He scored just 1.

In-form and stylish Babar Azam was his next prey.

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Boult nailed a wide Yorker; Babar hung back and jabbed his bat down. The ball took outside edge and flew to Ross Taylor at first slip. He returned with a golden duck!

Then came Mohammad Hafeez who had been declared Man of the Series for his sizzling form in the preceding T-20 series. However, Boult had done his homework and executed it perfectly.

Boult bowled a 141kph length ball that pitched on the middle and came in slightly, hitting Hafeez on the knee roll. The loud shout from the Kiwis received a nod from the umpire. Hafeez reviewed, but in vain.

Hafeez also returned with a first-ball duck and Boult celebrated. He looked skywards and is embraced by his new-ball partner and friend Tim Southee.

He had done it! The first hat-trick of his career came against Pakistan on a UAE turf. Wow!