In an unprecedented moment for international cricket, Indonesian fast bowler Gede Priandana etched his name into the record books on Tuesday in Bali. The right-arm seamer achieved what no bowler, male or female, had ever done in a T20 International match: taking five wickets in a single over.
A Landmark Over Seals Victory
The historic feat unfolded during the 16th over of Cambodia's innings in the opening T20I. Chasing a target of 168, Cambodia was already under pressure at 106 for five. Priandana, introduced into the attack, struck immediately and decisively. He dismissed Shah Abrar Hussain, Nirmaljit Singh, and Chanthoeun Rathanak off three consecutive deliveries to complete a stunning hat-trick.
After a brief pause with a dot ball, the 28-year-old pacer was not done yet. He proceeded to clean up Mongdara Sok and Pel Vennak to finish the Cambodian innings. The over yielded just one run for the batting side, which came from a wide, as Priandana's spectacular burst sealed a commanding 60-run victory for Indonesia.
Surpassing Cricket's Elite
This remarkable achievement places Priandana in a league of his own. Before this, several celebrated bowlers had come close but fallen short of the milestone. Legends like Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, Ireland's Curtis Campher, and West Indies' Jason Holder had each taken four wickets in a single T20I over. The elusive fifth wicket had always remained out of reach at the international level until Priandana's magical over in Bali.
In the broader context of men's T20 cricket, a five-wicket over had been recorded only twice before, both in domestic competitions. Bangladesh's Al-Amin Hossain first achieved it in the 2013–14 Victory Day T20 Cup, while India's Abhimanyu Mithun replicated it for Karnataka during the 2019–20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Priandana's feat is the first of its kind on the international stage.
Strong Team Performance Sets the Stage
Earlier in the match, Indonesia's strong total of 168 was built on the back of a magnificent, unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Dharma Kesuma. Kesuma smashed 110 runs off just 68 balls, an innings peppered with eight fours and six sixes. Interestingly, Priandana, who opened the batting alongside Kesuma, was dismissed early for six runs off 11 deliveries before producing his game-changing performance with the ball.
This historic moment is a significant landmark for Indonesian cricket, highlighting the growing competitive spirit in associate nations. Gede Priandana's name is now permanently inscribed in cricket's record books for a feat that has eluded the sport's biggest stars.
