Faheem Ashraf reveals inside story of maiden T20I hat-trick   

Pakistan’s young all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who burst on to the scene of international cricket during ICC Champions trophy, has revealed the inside story of his maiden T20I hat-trick.

Faheem became the only Pakistani to pick up a Twenty20 International (T20I) hat-trick against Sri Lanka during second game of three-match series.

Describing his emotions, Faheem, 23, told Pakpassion, “It's difficult to describe my emotions during and after the hat-trick but it was an incredible moment. I had no idea until after the match that I was the first Pakistani cricketer to complete a hat-trick in a Twenty20 international.”

“I still cannot believe I did it and it's only when people mention it to me that I actually believe it happened,” he said.

The 23-year-old said he wasn’t sure if he would be bowling death overs. But then he realised that Usman Shinwari was injured and that he would be required to bowl one more over towards the end of the innings.

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“Initially I just wanted to keep it tight and restrict the opposition and just focus on dot balls,” Faheem said.

“Shoaib Malik came up to me and told me to keep bowling the right length for that wicket. He asked me to bowl on a good length and not bowl short,” the site quoted the all-rounder.

“For the first wicket I bowled a slower ball and Hasan Ali took a superb catch. For the second wicket I took on board the advice of Shoaib Malik and bowled a good length delivery, he said adding that for the hat-trick delivery Imad Wasim told me to bowl a good length inswinger and the batsman will be leg before or bowled and that's what happened as the batsman was out lbw.”