Trent Boult arrived in the UAE only three days ago, bouncing with joy at becoming a father for the first time. And two overs into his first outing in this series against Pakistan, he was celebrating a hat-trick. Talk about a fun week. Here is how Deivarayan Muthu captured it on ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentary
Boult to Fakhar Zaman, OUT, Boult angles a back-of-a-length ball into the pads of Zaman. He loses his shape, swings to the leg side, does not make contact with the bat. The ball homes in, grazes the pad, and disturbs the stumps. The plan to Fakhar was clear: cramp him for room. Boult has executed it to perfection
Fakhar Zaman b Boult 1 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 20.00
Boult to Babar Azam, OUT, Boult and the wicketkeeper think they have their man! Umpires Raza and Wilson converge and refer it to the TV umpire. Boult nails a wide yorker, Azam hangs back, jabs his bat down. Did the ball bounce before carrying it to Taylor at first slip? Replays suggest that it did not bounce and flew to first slip. Outstanding chest-high grab from Taylor to go with his half-century. Ahoy, two in two for Boult
Babar Azam c Taylor b Boult 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Boult to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT, Boult, you beauty! In his first match of the tour, new-dad Boult bags a hat-trick. Good length, swings back in just enough at 141ks, catches Hafeez in the crease, hits the front pad on the knee-roll. Pitching in line, impact in line, and hitting leg stump. Hafeez reviews in vain. Boult becomes the third New Zealander after Morrison and Bound to claim a hat-trick in ODIs. After Taylor seemed to publicly question the legality of his bowling action, Hafeez gets trapped for a first-ball duck. Rather subdued celebrations from Boult. He looks skywards and is embraced by his new-ball partner and friend Tim Southee. Coach Arthur is stunned in the Pakistan change room. Can Boult now do a Malinga and take four in four? (Spoiler alert: he didn't)
Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Boult 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00