ICC World Cup 2019: 5 players who could take a hat-trick

The first ODI hat-trick in the history of the game was bagged by Pakistani quick Jalal-ud-Din in September 1982 against Australia at Hyderabad. In total, there have been only 44 hat-tricks in more than 3,800 matches, which itself speaks of the rarity of this.

It goes without saying that in cricket, hat-tricks are quite hard to come by and are one of the proudest achievements in the career of a bowler.

Presently, the player with the most number of hat-tricks in ODI is the Sri Lankan great, Lasith Malinga, who has taken three ODI hat-tricks in his entire career.

In World Cup history, there have been a total of 9 hat-tricks with the first one coming at the hands of Indian paceman, Chetan Sharma, in 1987 against New Zealand.

In the upcoming World Cup, this tally is expected to gain a significant rise owing to the pitches in England and Wales, the host nations, which are swing-promoting and fickle, compelling the batsmen to be on their guard.

On that note, let us take a look at 5 players who possess the potential to secure a hat-trick in the forthcoming 2019 Cricket World Cup.

---

#5 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has risen to fame of late having made his debut for the Indian Cricket Team on 23 January 2016 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Over the course of the next two years, he has become an indispensable asset for the Indian team by virtue of his consistent performances in the limited overs cricket.

According to the latest ICC rankings, Bumrah tops the list of the ODI bowlers with a career-best rating of 787, which is quite impressive for a player who burst into the international scene only a couple of years ago.

The Mumbai Indians' paceman has only been exposed to the English conditions once in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 when he became the 2nd highest Indian wicket-taker after Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The extra pace and bounce generally on offer in English conditions will be of immense help for the bowler, who will patently be a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup.

#4 Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc

Adjudged Man of the Tournament in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Mitchell Starc will be seen plying his trade once again in the same competition as Australia's pace frontman.

He will be tremendously menacing in England and Wales where his searing pace, coupled with the seaming pitches, will inevitably furnish a stream of unplayable deliveries.

In ODIs, the Australian has taken 141 wickets in 72 appearances with a bowling average of 20.96 and a strike rate of 25.48. Alongside that, he also has five 5-wicket hauls.

#3 Trent Boult

Trent Boult

Trent Boult finished the 2015 World Cup as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 15.76.

He is one of the best fast bowlers in the cricketing fraternity as of now, 5th in ODI according to the ICC rankings.

The Kiwi enjoys the ability to swing the ball both ways and is specifically intimidating for right-handers who find it hard to deal with his in-swingers. As stated previously, Boult's aforementioned quality will be encouraged by the conditions in the host nations which are conducive to swinging deliveries.

Consequently, New Zealand's bowling unit will be heavily pivoting on his form in the World Cup.

#2 Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali

2017 was a career-changing year for a talented youngster hailing from Punjab, as the fast bowler went on to become the highest ODI wicket-taker of the year and inspired his country to their maiden ICC Champions Trophy triumph.

With 45 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 17.04, Hasan Ali was atop of the wicket-takers list in 2017. He particularly took the stage in the Champions Trophy 2017 where he won the Man of the Tournament award with 13 scalps in 5 appearances, scripting a one-for-the-books comeback for his country.

As such, Hasan Ali is a cricketer who is adept at bowling in English conditions and boasts the potential to single-handedly lead his side to another major cricketing triumph in 2019.

It is quite predictable that Sarfraz Ahmed will exploit his flair in the second half of the match just like the skipper did in Champions Trophy as Hasan is difficult to be confronted during that period, thanks to his reverse swing.

#1 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

In the years gone by, the way Afghanistan Cricket has improved by leaps and bounds is astonishing, to say the least, and even though it is the whole team which deserve appreciation, there is one player who has been a cut above the rest during that transitional phase.

Needless to say, the name is Rashid Khan. In 2017, Rashid was the second highest wicket-taker with 43 wickets at a stunning average of 10.44 and could have easily leapfrogged Hasan Ali had he played a few more matches.

The Nangarhar-born star undoubtedly possesses the talent to wipe out any side when on song. As of now, the 19-year-old has 100 wickets in 43 matches with an average of 14.4 and four 5-wicket hauls.

The starlet is the bright spot in the Afghanistan team and it is quite understandable that the fans have already pinned their World Cup hopes on the brilliance of the man.