Malaysian seamer Syazrul Idrus etched his name in cricketing history, achieving a remarkable milestone by becoming the first bowler to secure a seven-wicket haul in men's T20 International matches. This extraordinary feat was accomplished during the opening game of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B 2023, where Malaysia faced off against China at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on a memorable Wednesday, July 26.
Idrus' extraordinary display on the cricketing stage surpassed the previous record held by Nigeria's Peter Aho, who had achieved a six-wicket haul by conceding just five runs against Sierra Leone in 2021. However, Idrus' stupendous performance dismantled that record, making him the new record-holder for best T20I bowling figures.
Joining Idrus in the ranks of exceptional bowlers in men's T20 internationals are India's talented pacer Deepak Chahar and Uganda's Dinesh Nakrani, who share the title for the joint-third best bowling figures with their impressive six-wicket hauls. Chahar had showcased his prowess against Bangladesh in 2019, while Nakrani displayed his bowling mastery against Lesotho in 2021.
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The cricketing world has witnessed some extraordinary talents who have achieved six-wicket hauls in men's T20 internationals. Ajantha Mendis, the former spin bowler from Sri Lanka, boasts two remarkable six-wicket hauls to his name, with exceptional figures of 6/8 against Zimbabwe in September 2012 and 6/16 against Australia in August 2011. Notable names like veteran Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (6/25), West Indies left-arm pacer Obed McCoy (6/17), Australia left-arm spinner Ashton Agar (6/30), and Namibia pacer JJ Smit (6/10) have also left their indelible mark on the T20 international stage with their breathtaking performances.
Syazrul Idrus ran through Chinese batting lineup, recorded best T20I bowling figures
In the match against China, the decision to bat first after winning the toss saw the Chinese team open with a steady start, scoring 12 runs for no loss in the initial four overs. However, it was Idrus who turned the tide in Malaysia's favor, claiming the wicket of Wang Liuyang for just three runs in the first ball of his second over.
The 32-year-old then unleashed his true potential, taking three more wickets in the same over and securing his five-wicket haul with ease. Unfazed by his success, Idrus continued his rampage, claiming two more wickets in his final over, culminating in an awe-inspiring seven-wicket haul. Thanks to his brilliance, Malaysia effectively bundled out China for a meager score of 23.
Despite a shaky start to their chase, with Malaysia losing openers Syed Aziz and Muhammad Amir for ducks, the team was propelled to victory by the impressive performance of Virandeep Singh, who scored 19 runs off just 14 balls. His invaluable contribution led Malaysia to clinch the match in just 4.5 overs, securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory over China.
Syazrul Idrus' remarkable feat is not only a historic moment for Malaysian cricket but also a testament to the incredible talent and skill possessed by bowlers in the T20 format. His extraordinary display will undoubtedly inspire and motivate aspiring cricketers worldwide to aim for greatness and achieve new milestones on the cricketing stage. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more breathtaking performances and record-breaking moments in the world of T20 cricket.
