Pune, January 31, 2025 — Saqib Mahmood has etched his name in cricket's record books with a sensational triple-wicket maiden during the fourth T20I between India and England, stunning the home crowd at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. England, trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, came out determined to level the score, and Mahmood's remarkable performance changed the course of the match almost instantly.
The 27-year-old pacer, who was playing his first match of the series, bowled the second over of India's innings and accomplished the rare feat of taking three wickets without conceding any runs, becoming the first English player to do so and the first from any team against India in T20 internationals.
Mahmood's triple-wicket maiden began with the dismissal of Sanju Samson, who fell prey to a cleverly disguised short ball on the very first delivery. The Indian opener, who had been struggling against pace throughout the series, attempted to pull the ball but ended up offering a simple catch to Brydon Carse at deep square leg. The Indian score read just 1 run with the loss of one wicket.
The situation worsened for India when Mahmood dismissed the talented Tilak Varma on the next ball. Known for his aggressive batting, Varma charged down the track, but his ambitious shot turned out to be his undoing, as Mahmood's delivery took the outside edge and flew to third man, where Jofra Archer gratefully accepted the catch. Varma's dismissal marked his first career golden duck, leaving India reeling at 12 for 2.
The third wicket fell just moments later as Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, stepped to the crease hoping to stabilize the innings. Unfortunately for him and the home crowd, he too succumbed to Mahmood's spell, playing the last ball of the over straight to mid-on after three dot deliveries, eleviating the England bowler's astonishing over to three wickets without any runs conceded. The scorecard now read 12 for 3, with India well and truly on the back foot.
Mahmood's exceptional feat not only sent shockwaves through the crowd but also prompted discussions about the remarkable nature of this achievement. A triple-wicket maiden is considered one of the rarest occurrences in cricket, and Mahmood's timing was impeccable, occurring at such a pivotal moment for his team. The momentum swing was undeniable, and England capitalized on this early dominance, creating serious pressure on the Indian side.
Prior to the match, Mahmood had faced significant obstacles, including visa issues related to his Pakistani heritage, which delayed his arrival to India. While struggling with uncertainty, he remained patient, and his much-anticipated debut proved to be worth the wait as he seized the opportunity to make history.
After Mahmood's game-changing over, the Indian batting lineup struggled to find their rhythm, but they were led by Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma, who sought to rebuild the innings. Despite the early collapse, the Indian side showed resilience, eventually putting up respectable scores to avoid the embarrassment of total failure.
Mahmood's performance established him as the standout bowler of the match, and his achievement reverberated through the cricketing community, with commentators and fans alike marvelling at the display. "Saqib Mahmood has rattled India with a historic spell," reported CricXtasy, capturing the essence of his impact on the game.
This thrilling conclusion adds to the narrative of Mahmood's career and will likely earn him recognition not only for the record but for the character displayed amid challenges. It also serves as a reminder of how unpredictable and exhilarating T20 cricket can be, especially on such significant platforms where history is created.
All eyes are now on how India will respond to this unexpected turn of events as they look to regain control of the series, particularly after having previously led it 2-1. Mahmood’s dazzling spell, so full of energy and ambition, stands as a formidable emblem of England’s capabilities, indicating the tight competition inherent within the format.