In a remarkable display of bowling prowess at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson delivered an unprecedented spell against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago. Ferguson's exceptional performance saw him complete his four-over spell without conceding a single run, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 wickets for 0 runs. This achievement marks the first instance in men's T20I history where a bowler has achieved such an economical spell.
Despite New Zealand being already out of contention for the Super 8s, they approached their final group-stage match with determination. Opting to bowl first, the Kiwis effectively restricted PNG to a mere 78 runs, largely due to Ferguson's incredible bowling display. His precise line and length posed significant challenges for the PNG batsmen, as he bowled four consecutive maiden overs and claimed three crucial wickets in the process.
Ferguson began his spell by dismissing PNG captain Assad Vala for 6 (16) with his first delivery, setting the tone with a maiden over during the powerplay. Continuing his dominance, he bowled another maiden immediately after the powerplay. Returning for the 12th over, Ferguson claimed his second wicket by removing Charles Amini for 17 (25). He concluded his spell with a wicket-maiden in the 14th over, dismissing Chad Soper for 1 off 6 balls.
The 33-year-old's historic achievement was celebrated enthusiastically by his teammates, particularly when he fielded the final ball of his fourth over himself, capping off a flawless and record-setting performance.
Alongside Ferguson's heroics, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, and Trent Boult each took two wickets, with Boult playing his last T20 World Cup match. Mitchell Santner also contributed with a wicket, conceding 17 runs. Ferguson's spell was instrumental in bowling out PNG for 78, setting the stage for a comprehensive New Zealand victory.