Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian pace bowler Syazrul Ezat Idrus etched his name in cricketing history as he became the first bowler to claim a remarkable seven-wicket haul in a men’s T20 international during the 2024 World Cup Qualifier tournament against China at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
In a breathtaking display of fast bowling prowess, the 32-year-old Syazrul Ezat Idrus delivered an awe-inspiring performance that left cricket enthusiasts in awe. Returning astonishing figures of 7/8 in his allotted four overs, Idrus exhibited a masterclass of accuracy and skill, rattling the Chinese batting lineup. Adding to the awe, all seven of his victims were bowled out, showcasing his ability to dismantle the stumps with precision.
Thanks to Idrus’ exceptional exploits, China found themselves bundled out for a paltry 23 runs in the 12th over of their innings. Riding high on his record-breaking achievement, the Malaysian team effortlessly secured an eight-wicket victory with a remarkable 15.1 overs to spare in the Asia Regional Qualifiers B tournament.
After the game, a modest and grateful Idrus expressed his gratitude to Captain Ahmad Faiz Noor for having faith in his abilities and entrusting him to spearhead the bowling attack against China. “I am grateful for being given the trust by Captain Ahmad Faiz Noor to bowl against China. It is a privilege to break the world record,” Idrus shared with Malaysian media after the match.
By eclipsing the previous record held by Nigerian Peter Aho, who claimed figures of 6/5 against Sierra Leone in 2021, Idrus has now firmly etched his name in the annals of cricketing history. His incredible performance has also surpassed the best figures in a men’s T20 contest between cricket’s Test-playing nations, with India’s Deepak Chahar holding the previous record of 6/7 against Bangladesh in 2019.
Idrus now joins an elite group of bowlers who have achieved six-wicket hauls in a men’s T20 international, which includes notable names like India’s Yuzvendra Chahal, Australian spinner Ashton Agar, and Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis.
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