Taking a hat-trick in cricket means a bowler dismisses three batsmen with three balls in a row. This is a rare and special achievement that can turn a game around. Bowlers who have taken many hat-tricks are seen as very skilled and dangerous players. In this article, we explore the top 10 bowlers who have taken the most hat-tricks in international cricket. Each player is described with detailed stories and stats tables for better understanding.
List of 10 Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History
1. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is a famous fast bowler from Sri Lanka. He is well known for his unusual bowling style that looks like a sling shot. This unique action helped him bowl very fast and accurate yorkers. Malinga is the all-time leader in international hat-tricks, with five in total Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History
His first hat-trick was in 2007 during an ODI against South Africa in Colombo. Later, in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, he took two more hat tricks against Kenya and Australia, helping Sri Lanka reach the finals. His skill was not limited to ODIs; in T20 Internationals, he took two hat-tricks as well. One of his T20I hat-tricks was remarkable because it included four wickets in four balls against New Zealand in 2019, a rare feat Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
Malinga’s bowling was known for breaking partnerships and controlling the game at critical moments. His ability to bowl deadly yorkers especially at the end of innings made him a nightmare for batsmen.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ODI | South Africa | Colombo | First international hat-trick |
| 2011 | ODI | Kenya | ICC World Cup | Second ODI hat-trick |
| 2011 | ODI | Australia | ICC World Cup | Third ODI hat-trick |
| 2017 | T20I | Bangladesh | Colombo | First T20I hat-trick |
| 2019 | T20I | New Zealand | Wellington | Four wickets in four balls |
2. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram, called the “Sultan of Swing,” is one of Pakistan’s greatest fast bowlers. He had the skill to swing the ball both ways at high speed, making him very dangerous. Akram took four hat tricks in his international career, showing his dominance in both Test matches and ODIs Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first hat-trick was in an ODI against the West Indies in Karachi in 1989. He took his second ODI hat-trick against Australia in 1990 at Sharjah. In a rare achievement, he took two hat-tricks in the same Test match against Sri Lanka in 1999, once in each innings, which is almost unheard of in cricket history.
Wasim’s ability to perform under pressure and his mastery of swing bowling made him a match-winner many times. His hat-tricks are remembered for how they turned the game in Pakistan’s favor.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | ODI | West Indies | Karachi | First career hat-trick |
| 1990 | ODI | Australia | Sharjah | Second ODI hat-trick |
| 1999 (Inns 1) | Test | Sri Lanka | Colombo | First Test hat-trick in match |
| 1999 (Inns 2) | Test | Sri Lanka | Colombo | Second Test hat-trick in match |
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3. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad is one of England’s most successful fast bowlers. Known for his height and bounce, Broad has a knack for taking important wickets at crucial times. He has two Test match hat tricks.
His first was in 2011 against India at Nottingham. His second hat-trick was historic because he became the only English bowler to take two Test hat-tricks, which he achieved in 2014 at Lord’s against Sri Lanka. This second hat trick included wickets of top batsmen like Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
Broad’s ability to bowl with pace and swing made him a consistent threat to batsmen. His hat-tricks are examples of his skill to change the course of the game quickly.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Test | India | Nottingham | First Test hat-trick |
| 2014 | Test | Sri Lanka | Lord’s | Sangakkara, Chandimal, Eranga |
4. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is an Indian left-arm wrist spinner, famous for his chinaman deliveries. He has taken two international hat-tricks in ODIs, showing his talent in limited overs cricket Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first hat-trick came in 2017 against Australia at Eden Gardens. The second was in 2019 against the West Indies in Mumbai. Both times, Kuldeep’s spin bowling troubled the batsmen, making it difficult for them to score.
Kuldeep’s ability to spin the ball sharply and deceive batsmen with his variations has made him an important player for India in white ball cricket.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Key Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ODI | Australia | Eden Gardens | First international hat-trick |
| 2019 | ODI | West Indies | Mumbai | Holder, Joseph, Hope |
5. Thisara Perera
Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan all rounder, has taken two memorable hat tricks in international cricket. Known for his powerful hitting and useful bowling, he made his mark as a bowler with these performances Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first hat-trick was in 2012 against Pakistan in Colombo, where he dismissed key batsmen like Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi. His second hat trick was in 2016 against India, removing dangerous players like Hardik Pandya and Yuvraj Singh.
Perera’s bowling adds depth to the Sri Lankan attack, and his hat-tricks are proof of his ability to break partnerships and change games.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ODI | Pakistan | Colombo | Younis Khan, Afridi, Sarfaraz |
| 2016 | ODI | India | Colombo | Hardik Pandya, Raina, Yuvraj |
6. Brett Lee
Brett Lee is one of Australia’s fastest and most exciting bowlers. His speed and aggression made him a threat to batsmen worldwide. Lee has two hat tricks, both in World Cup tournaments, showing his ability to perform on big stages Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first was in the 2003 ODI World Cup against Kenya, and his second was in the 2007 T20 World Cup against Bangladesh. Lee’s fast bowling and sharp bouncers helped him achieve these milestones.
His performances in World Cups made him a fan favorite and an important player in Australia’s bowling lineup Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ODI | Kenya | ICC World Cup | First World Cup hat-trick |
| 2007 | T20I | Bangladesh | ICC T20 World Cup | Second World Cup hat-trick |
7. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas, a Sri Lankan left-arm fast medium bowler, was known for his accuracy and ability to swing the ball. He has two notable hat tricks in his career.
The first was in 2001 against Zimbabwe in Colombo, where he also took some of the best bowling figures in ODI history. His second hat-trick came in the 2003 World Cup against Bangladesh, taking the first three wickets with consecutive balls, helping Sri Lanka to a big win Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
Vaas was famous for his control and ability to bowl in all conditions effectively.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Notable Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | ODI | Zimbabwe | Colombo | Best ODI bowling figures |
| 2003 | ODI | Bangladesh | ICC World Cup | First 3 wickets in 3 balls |
8. Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistani off spinner who invented the ‘doosra’ delivery, took two hat tricks in ODIs. Both came against Zimbabwe, showing his skill in limited overs Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first hat-trick was in 1996 in Lahore, and his second came during the 1999 World Cup, making him one of the top spinners of his time. Saqlain’s clever bowling and variations troubled batsmen and helped Pakistan in many matches.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | ODI | Zimbabwe | Lahore | First career hat-trick |
| 1999 | ODI | Zimbabwe | ICC World Cup | Second World Cup hat-trick |
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9. Trent Boult
New Zealand’s Trent Boult is a left arm fast bowler known for his swing and pace. He has taken two hat-tricks in ODIs, both significant for New Zealand cricket Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His first was in 2018 against Pakistan at Hamilton, where he took out key batsmen like Babar Azam. His second hat-trick was in the 2019 ICC World Cup against Australia, including wickets of important players such as Mitchell Starc.
Boult’s consistency and skill in swing bowling have made him a key player for New Zealand.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ODI | Pakistan | Hamilton | Babar Azam, Zaman, Hafeez |
| 2019 | ODI | Australia | ICC World Cup | Khawaja, Starc, Behrendorff |
10. Jimmy Matthews
Jimmy Matthews was an Australian leg spinner who achieved a rare feat by taking two hat tricks in the same Test match in 1912 against South Africa. This is one of the most unique accomplishments in cricket history Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.
His two hat tricks came in different innings of the same game in Brisbane, making him a legend from the early days of Test cricket. Matthews’ skill in spin bowling helped Australia dominate that match.
| Year | Format | Opponent | Venue | Remarkable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 (Inns 1) | Test | South Africa | Brisbane | First Test hat-trick |
| 1912 (Inns 2) | Test | South Africa | Brisbane | Second Test hat-trick in same match |
Achieving a hat trick is a special milestone for any bowler. These top 10 players Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History, proving their skill, precision, and ability to change matches. Their hat tricks have often been match winning moments, making them unforgettable in cricket history. They are remembered as legends for their incredible bowling achievements Bowlers with The Most Hat Tricks Cricket History.