5 hat-tricks which did nothing to help the team’s cause

#5 Lasith Malinga versus South Africa- 2007

Lasith Malinga's awe-inspiring spell nearly pulled off the game for Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga displayed his prowess with the ball in a World Cup encounter against South Africa and nearly helped the Lankans snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Malinga picked up four wickets in four balls to infuse life into the game from nowhere.

In no time, Graeme Smith’s men collapsed from 206/5 to 207/9. Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini became Malinga’s victims during his jaw-dropping spell of fast-bowling. Pollock was totally foxed by an off-cutter that cannoned into the stumps.

Hall chipped his next slower-delivery into the hands of Upul Tharanga to give Malinga his second wicket. Kallis edged his next delivery to Kumar Sangakkara, which gave Malinga the hat-trick. Malinga didn’t stop there and went on to pick up his fourth wicket in the form of Ntini.

After the Proteas were set a modest target of 210 by the Lankans, they looked set to clinch victory till Malinga came and wreaked havoc in their lineup. Ever since that game, Malinga has carved a reputation for himself as a difficult bowler to dictate terms, especially in limited-overs cricket.

South Africa did eventually win the game.