#ThatWas2017: Top 10 sensational moments from cricketing world in 2017
2017 was an amazing year for cricket fans. Virat Kohli and Steven Smith kept the records tumbling but there was plenty more action happening across the globe too. From Pakistan's memorable Champions Trophy victory, Bangladesh's triumph over Australia to Sri Lanka's humiliating loss at home, we present to you sensational moments that defined cricket in 2017.
Kuldeep Yadav lights up Eden Gardens
23-year-old left-arm 'chinaman bowler', Kuldeep Yadav became the third Indian after Chetan Sharma and Kapil Dev to bag a hat trick in ODIs. Kuldeep achieved the feat in his 9th ODI at the Eden Gardens against formidable Australia. The left-arm chinaman is now the only wrist-spinner along with Sri Lanka's Wanidu Hasaranga to bag an ODI hat-trick.
The 111 run no ball
Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, had a nightmare of a game in the final of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan when he overstepped to bowl a no-ball that probably cost India the game. Fakhar Zaman was caught when he was on 3, but the no ball ensured he scored 111 more and Pakistan won their first Champions Trophy.
International cricket returns to Pakistan
Pakistan had remained deprived of international cricket for 8 long years since the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team. No team was willing to tour the nation citing security reasons until this year. The World XI comprising of the sport's biggest names across nations challenged the home team at the Gaddafi stadium at Lahore, with Pakistan emerging the winners in the end.
Bangladesh defeat Australia first time in Tests
Bangladesh created history when they outclassed Steven Smith and his boys in all departments to script their first win against the mighty Aussies in the five day format. The Bangladesh Tigers won by a margin of 20 runs on the fourth day. The victory came in the first test of the two-test match series, the two nations contested in 2017.
Rashid Khan's 7/18 against West Indies
From bagging an unexpected Rs. 4 crore in the IPL this year to spinning Afghanistan to victory, this Afghan teenage sensation had a terrific year. Rashid Khan picked up 7 wickets for only 18 runes against the West Indies as Afghanistan secured a 63 run victory. The 19 year-old's bowling figure is now the fourth best in ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli fastest to reach 9,000 ODI runs
Kohli had another great year, specially when it came to limited-overs cricket. After being the fastest to reach 8000 runs, the Indian skipper surpassed his RCB tea-mate AB de Villiers to become the fastest to reach 9000 runs in just 194 innings. The Indian captain also scored his 32nd century during the match and is now second after Sachin Tendulkar who has 49 hundreds.
West Indies remarkable comeback to win a Test in England
No one would have thought that West Indies could chase down England's 322 on the last day on a tricky Headingley pitch. But, Shai Hope, like his name, stuck to the task and handed the visitors a memorable Test win on English soil after 17 years. Hope also became first man to score a century in both innings of a first-class match at Headingley.
Kohli only second to Sachin in terms of ODI centuries
Do you still think that no one can break the Little Master's 49 ODI tons record? Think again, as the 29-year-old Kohli scored 6 tons this year, to surpass Ricky Ponting's total of 31 tons. If he goes at this pace, then there is no stopping him from breaking any record in the limited-overs format.
David Miller fastest T20I ton
The hard hitting South African batsman completed his century in just 35 balls surpassing his team-mate Richard Levi's erstwhile record for hitting the fastest T20I ton. This was Miller's maiden T20I hundred. The South African is also the first batsman in T20 cricket to score a T20I hundred when batting at number 5 or below.
Zimbabwe's first overseas win in eight years
Minnows Zimbabwe stunned Sri Lanka by defeating them on their home turf in the five-match ODI series this July. Clinching the series 3-2 in Hambantota, 11th-ranked Zimbabwe registered their maiden series triumph in Sri Lanka and their first overseas victory in 8 years. The defeat will be remembered for Sri Lanka's worst performance in bilateral ODI series in recent years.
