Historic figures: Lockie Ferguson delivers bowling masterclass to shut out PNG
Lockie Ferguson returned the most economical figures in the history of Men’s T20 International cricket in Monday’s match against Papua New Guinea at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The New Zealand pacer did the unthinkable in his four-over spell, not conceding a single run as he took 3/0 to set a new world record in the format.
Only one men’s bowler in history had ever bowled a full set of four overs without conceding a run – Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar against Panama in an international in 2021.
And Ferguson has become the second player to do so in history, and the first ever to do so at a T20 World Cup.
The 33-year-old pacer struck with his very first ball to remove Papua New Guinea captain Assad Valada for 6 (16), and tied up the new batter to open his spell with a maiden in the powerplay.
And he was understandably kept on to bowl the first over after the powerplay, once again keeping things tight with an excellent maiden.
He returned to the attack for the 12th over and picked up the wicket of Charles Amini 17 (25), and finished with his third wicket-maiden with the 14th over of the innings, cleaning up Chad Soper for 1(6).
There were celebrations and handshakes for Ferguson when he fielded the sixth ball of his fourth over off his own bowling to finish with four consecutive maidens and complete his historic achievement.