Peshawar Zalmi's Ali Raza enters record books with PSL hat-trick

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi youngster Ali Raza etched his name into the record books with a stunning hat-trick against Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old pacer produced a remarkable final over to derail Karachi’s innings, claiming three wickets in as many deliveries to restrict them to 182-9.

Raza began his hat-trick with the dismissal of Khushdil Shah, who fell in unfortunate fashion via a hit-wicket. He then followed it up with two pinpoint yorkers to clean up Shahid Aziz and Hasan Ali.

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With this effort, Raza became only the seventh bowler in PSL history to register a hat-trick.

The milestone list is headlined by Mohammad Amir, who achieved the league’s first hat-trick in the inaugural 2016 edition, followed by notable names such as Junaid Khan and Imran Tahir.

Hat-tricks in Pakistan Super League (PSL)

• Mohammad Amir (KK) against Lahore Qalandars in 2016
• Junaid Khan (MS) against Lahore Qalandars in 2018
• Imran Tahir (MS) against Quetta Gladiators in 2018
• Mohammad Sami (IU) against Peshawar Zalmi in 2019
• Abbas Afridi (MS) against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• Akeal Hosein (QG) against Peshawar Zalmi in 2024
• Ali Raza (PZ) against Karachi Kings in 2026

In addition to joining the elite list, Raza also set a new benchmark by becoming the youngest Pakistani to take a T20 hat-trick at just 18 years and 35 days.

The young pacer capped off an impressive outing with figures of 4-41, having earlier removed Karachi Kings captain David Warner during the powerplay.

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