Cricket is a game of moments—moments of thrill, shock, and enthrallment for cricket fans around the globe. Of the numerous magical moments on the field, the hat-trick is a cherished one. But suppose a bowler sends four batsmen back to the pavilion in four balls? That's no hat-trick, that's a double hat-trick, an event so transitory that it appears mythical. A double hat-trick is a bowler's achievement where one takes four wickets off four consecutive valid deliveries, without incident or extras. While standard hat-tricks are commonplace, well-documented achievements, double hat-tricks have been so uncommon that each occurrence of one is a unique story of dominance, pressure, and precise execution. From global greats like Lasith Malinga to new stars like Waseem Yaqoob, not many bowlers have etched their place in this elite fraternity. Here, we delve into the stories of these unusual match-winning performances and trace how each bowler defied statistics to achieve one of cricket's most lovely feats. What Is a Double Hat-Trick in Cricket? Explained with Wicket Count Bowler Year Format Opponent Country Lasith Malinga 2007, 2019 ODI & T20I South Africa, NZ Sri Lanka Rashid Khan 2019 T20I Ireland Afghanistan Curtis Campher 2021 T20 World Cup Netherlands Ireland Jason Holder 2022 T20I England West Indies Waseem Yaqoob 2024 T20I Mali Lesotho Hernán Fennell 2024 T20I Cayman Islands Argentina What Is a Double Hat-Trick in Cricket? Explained with Wicket Count 1. Lasith Malinga Image Source : AFP Lasith Malinga's two double hat-tricks are cricket folklore. In the 2007 ODI World Cup, Malinga destroyed the batting of South Africa with four wickets in four balls off reverse-swinging yorkers. He did it again against New Zealand in a 2019 T20I, solidifying himself as one of the most dangerous white-ball bowlers in the history of the game. With his sling action and capacity to serve up precision bowling in the heat of the moment, Malinga is the only bowler to have taken two double hat-tricks in international cricket. Also Read | Best Catches in IPL 2025 That Stunned Everyone 2. Rashid Khan Image Source : AFP Rashid Khan left the cricket world stunned in 2019 with his four-in-four against Ireland. Renowned for his cutters-like sharp leg-breaks and unplayable googlies, Rashid sent four batsmen back in the 18th over, shattering the backbone of Ireland's pursuit. He took 5/27 as Afghanistan wrapped up the match. The youngest and sole spinner in the double hat-trick club, Rashid's achievement highlighted his magnificence as well as Afghanistan's astronomical growth in international cricket. 3. Curtis Campher Image Source : AFP Curtis Campher made headlines during the 2021 T20 World Cup as he took four wickets in four balls against the Netherlands. The right-arm seamer ravaged the Dutch middle-order with sharp seam movement and sagacious variations. His performance sealed an unbalanced victory for Ireland and was one of the topics of discussion of the tournament. Campher's double hat-trick was a career milestone and an inspiration for Irish cricket. 4. Jason Holder Image Source : ANI Jason Holder delivered a dramatic finish in a T20I match against England in January 2022. Chasing the final over of the game and series, Holder clean bowled or got four English batsmen in four successive deliveries, winning the game and series for West Indies. With height and bounce, Holder displayed control and match-winning temperament. His 5/27 included the double hat-trick that was a rare one that boosted West Indies at a critical juncture. 5. Waseem Yaqoob Waseem Yaqoob wrote a piece of history in 2024 by recording a double hat-trick against Mali in a T20I. Bowling at the powerplay, Waseem sent four top-order batsmen back to the pavilion in four overs using a combination of pace and swing. His 6/18 spell not only secured the match but also raised Lesotho's profile in associate cricket. Yaqoob's name became synonymous with cricket's increasing footprint on the African continent. 6. Hernán Fennell Image Source : Wikipedia Hernán Fennell bowled one of the most thrilling bowling spells in Argentine cricket history in a T20I match against the Cayman Islands in 2024. His four wickets for four balls completely changed the game and aided Argentina in their dominance against their ICC Americas Qualifier match. The fact that Fennell could bowl with precision and variation under pressure meant that he was recognized immediately. His performance showed the increasing competitive nature of cricket in the Americas. Also Read | Complete List of IPL Hat Tricks: Unforgettable Feats Conclusion Double hat-trick is cricket's most unusual and exhilarating milestone. Unlike normal hat-tricks, in which three wickets come in a sequence, a double hat-trick demands a bowler's smooth rhythm, psychological understanding, and precision to take four consecutive wickets in as many balls. From the scorching charm of Malinga's incantations to the landmark achievements made by Yaqoob and Fennell, these instances not only signify lone brilliance but also the burgeoning presence of cricket on two disparate continents. At a game that is increasingly beholden to forms, numbers, and tactics, moments such as these reignite the wonder and uncertainty that make cricket a world sport.As more associate nations rise and fresh talent emerges, who knows where the next double hat-trick will come from? One thing’s certain: it’ll be remembered for decades.