If you are a cricket fan, you are very well aware of a hat-trick; when a baller takes three wickets in three consecutive balls. But do you know what a double hat-trick is and how many wickets constitute a double hat-trick in cricket? In this article, you will get all your answers regarding double hat-tricks and prominent bowlers who achieved this rare feat.
How Many Wickets Constitute a Double Hat-trick?
When a bowler takes four wickets in four consecutive deliveries, it is called a double hat-trick in cricket. A double hat-trick is a very rare accomplishment and expresses the focus and skill of a bowler. Although not officially defined in cricket rulebooks, the phrase “double hat-trick” is commonly used to describe this extraordinary bowling feat.
On the other hand, a regular hat-trick is made up of three consecutive wickets in three legal deliveries. Remember, in cricket, a hat-trick is itself a very prestigious feat that showcases skill, accuracy, and mental toughness – a double hat-trick is an even more extraordinary achievement.
Who Takes Double Hat-trick in Cricket?
Six bowlers have achieved the rare feat of double hat-tricks in cricket: Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan, Curtis Campher, Jason Holder, and Waseem Yaqoob. Among them, Lasith Malinga is the first and only player who achieved this feat twice; once in an ODI against South Africa and once in a T20I against New Zealand.
List of Bowlers with Double Hat-trick in Cricket:
| Player | Year | Format | Against |
| Lasith Malinga | 2007, 2019 | ODI W.C., T20 International | S. Africa, New Zealand |
| Rashid Khan | 2019 | T20 International | Ireland |
| Curtis Campher | 2021 | T20 International | Netherlands |
| Jason Holder | 2022 | T20 International | England |
| Waseem Yaqoob | 2024 | T20 International | Mali |
| Hernan Fennell | 2024 | T20 International | Cayman Islands |
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan
- Year: 2019
- Against: Ireland
- Format: T20I
- Total Wickets: 5
On February 24, 2019, in Dehradun, Rashid Khan took 5 wickets for 27 runs, including a double hat-trick. His four consecutive wickets came in the 18th over, where he dismissed Kevin O’Brien (caught), George Dockrell (LBW), Shane Getkate (bowled), and Simi Singh (caught).
It must be noted that the Afghan player is the only spinner in the list of double hat-tricks and the first Afghan to take 4 in 4 in T20Is.
Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka
- Year: 2007, 2019
- Against: New Zealand
- Format: T20I
- Total Wickets: 5
On September 6, 2019, in Pallekele, Malinga dismantled the top order of New Zealand with a four-in-four — Munro, Rutherford, de Grandhomme, and Taylor — all bowled in the 3rd over. He finished with 5 for 6 in 4 overs.
The most wicket taking bowler in test, this was Malinga’s second career four-in-four after achieving the same in the 2007 ODI World Cup against South Africa.
Curtis Campher – Ireland
- Year: 2021
- Against: Netherlands
- Format: T20 World Cup
- Total Wickets: 4
On October 18, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, Curtis Campher took 4 wickets in 4 balls in the 10th over — dismissing Ackermann (LBW), ten Doeschate (bowled), Edwards (bowled), and van der Merwe (caught). He ended with 4 for 26 and helped bowl out the Netherlands for 106 in Ireland’s T20 World Cup group match.
Jason Holder – West Indies
- Year: 2022
- Against: England
- Format: T20I
- Total Wickets: 5
On January 30, 2022, at Bridgetown, Holder sealed the T20I series by taking 4 in 4 during the final over: Jordan (caught), Billings (caught), Rashid (bowled), and Mahmood (bowled). He registered figures of 5 for 27, and England were bowled out for 162, handing West Indies a 17-run victory and a 3–2 series win.
Waseem Yaqoob – Lesotho
- Year: 2024
- Against: Mali
- Format: T20I
- Total Wickets: 4
In 2024, Waseem Yaqoob became the first Lesotho player to claim a double hat-trick in T20Is, taking 4 wickets in 4 balls against Mali. Though full delivery-by-delivery records aren’t available, match reports confirmed the achievement during a low-scoring encounter. His spell was instrumental in bowling Mali out for under 50 runs.
Hernán Fennell – Argentina
- Year: 2024
- Against: Cayman Islands
- Format: T20I
- Total Wickets: 4
In December 2024, Hernán Fennell created history by taking 4 wickets in 4 deliveries against the Cayman Islands. His wickets dismantled the lower order, contributing to Argentina’s control of the game. It marked the first-ever double hat-trick for Argentina in T20 Internationals, placing Fennell among the elite few in the format.
Lasith Malinga – The First & Only Bowler to Take Double Hat-trick in ODI
In the match against South Africa in the 2007 ODI World Cup, Lasith Malinga made history by taking the first-ever double hat-trick in cricket. The four-wicket haul comes at a crucial moment when Africa is close to winning the match, needing only 10 runs off 36 deliveries.
The four batsmen who fell victim to Malinga’s nail-biting bowling attack were Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, and Makhaya Ntini. However, in this thrilling and hard-fought match, South Africa ultimately emerged victorious, avoiding the label of “chokers.”
Double Hat Trick Mein Kitne Wickets Hote Hain?
क्रिकेट में डबल हैट्रिक का मतलब होता है लगातार चार गेंदों पर चार विकेट लेना। जहाँ सामान्य हैट्रिक में कोई गेंदबाज़ लगातार तीन विकेट लेता है, वहीं डबल हैट्रिक में चार विकेट लगातार लिए जाते हैं। डबल हैट्रिक बेहद दुर्लभ मानी जाती है, खासकर टी20 और वनडे मैचों में, एक बड़ी उपलब्धि के रूप में मान्यता दी जाती है।
