In a remarkable display of precision and skill, New Zealand’s fast bowler Lockie Ferguson etched his name in T20 World Cup history during an inconsequential Group C match against Papua New Guinea. With magical figures of 4 overs, 4 maidens, and 3 wickets, Ferguson produced the most economical spell ever seen in T20I cricket. His devastating performance helped dismantle the PNG batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 78 runs in 19.4 overs.
From the very first ball of his spell, Ferguson made an impact. He removed PNG captain Assad Vala, caught at widish first slip for just 6 runs. The opposition batters found themselves pinned down, unable to score off Ferguson’s first three overs. His relentless accuracy and movement troubled the batsmen, leading to a third wicket when he dismissed Charles Amini (17) in front of the stumps.
Remarkably, Ferguson bowled all four of his overs as maidens, conceding zero runs. This achievement placed him alongside Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar as the only bowler in T20I history to achieve this feat. Zafar had accomplished the same during the T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier in November 2021.
4 Overs, 4 Maidens, 3 Wickets: NZ’s Lockie Ferguson Returns With Magical Figures To Set T20 World Cup Record
The Kiwis’ disciplined bowling effort extended beyond Ferguson. Trent Boult (2/14) and Tim Southee (2/11) contributed crucial wickets, ensuring PNG’s innings never gained momentum. Boult cleaned up Hiri Hiri (7), while Southee removed wicketkeeper-batter Kiplin Doriga (5).
New Zealand’s comprehensive victory was a fitting end to their T20 World Cup campaign. Ferguson’s historic figures will be remembered as a testament to his skill and precision on the international stage. As the tournament concludes, cricket fans worldwide celebrate this remarkable achievement by one of the game’s finest bowlers.
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