Ngidi's Dominant Bowling
In a pivotal Group D encounter of the ICC T20 World Cup held in Ahmedabad, South African speedster Lungi Ngidi delivered a match-winning performance, instrumental
in his team's decisive 57-run victory over Canada. Chasing a substantial target of 214, Canada faltered, managed only 156 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, largely due to Ngidi's exceptional spell. The Proteas bowler was the standout performer, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for just 31 runs. His spell began with a bang, as he struck on the very first ball of the innings by dismissing Canadian captain Dilpreet Bajwa. He continued his onslaught, removing Yuvraj Samra and Nicholas Kirton, crippling Canada's top order and reducing them to a precarious 45 for 4 within the Powerplay overs. Even a resilient partnership between Harsh Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal, which yielded 69 runs, was eventually broken by Ngidi in his final over, marking his fourth victim and sealing the Proteas' dominance.
Record-Equalling Feat
Lungi Ngidi's remarkable display against Canada saw him achieve a significant personal milestone: his fourth instance of taking four or more wickets in a T20 International match. This achievement places him in elite company among South African bowlers, equalling the record previously held by spinners Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi for the most four-plus wicket hauls in the shortest format of the game. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it occurred in just Ngidi's fifth T20 World Cup appearance, signifying his potent impact on the global stage. Furthermore, this was his second four-wicket haul within a T20 World Cup tournament, underscoring his consistent effectiveness in major international competitions. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver crucial breakthroughs has made him a vital asset for the South African team.
Pacer's Widest Reach
Beyond his record-equalling haul, Lungi Ngidi has also etched his name in the history books as the South African pacer with the most wickets in T20 International cricket. As per ESPNcricinfo, he has now surpassed his compatriot Kagiso Rabada, who had accumulated 79 wickets. Ngidi's tally now stands at an impressive 82 wickets from 58 T20Is, maintained at an exceptional average of 20.85. This impressive statistic even includes a five-wicket haul from his career. On the all-time T20I wicket-takers list for South Africa, Ngidi is positioned just behind Tabraiz Shamsi, who has taken 89 wickets and was last active for the Proteas in 2024. This distinction highlights Ngidi's sustained excellence and significant contribution as a leading fast bowler for his nation.
