All-rounder Sam Curran took a memorable hat-trick as England beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs (DLS method) in Pallekele on Friday, January 30, in the first T20I of the three-match series.

England bowled first and dismissed Sri Lanka for 133 runs in 16.2 overs. The match was reduced to 17 overs due to rain. During the chase, England were 125 for 4 after 15 overs, but no further play was possible because of bad weather.

Left-arm seamer Sam Curran finished with figures of 3 for 38 in three overs. He dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka (20) on the fourth ball of the 16th over, with the batter caught at mid-off. On the next ball, Maheesh Theekshana (0) was caught at long-on. Curran completed his hat-trick by bowling Matheesha Pathirana (0) with a full delivery from around the wicket.

After Curran’s strong performance in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, his stats are now being compared with Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Curran has played 65 T20I matches so far, and his numbers are compared with Pandya’s stats after he had also played the same number of matches.

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Sam Curran vs Hardik Pandya After 65 T20Is

After 65 T20I matches, Sam Curran and Hardik Pandya have shown their skills as all-rounders for their teams. Here is a simple comparison of their batting and bowling numbers.

Batting Stats Comparison

In 65 T20Is, Sam Curran has scored 451 runs at an average of 17.34 and a strike rate of 131.48. The left-handed batter scored 140 runs in five innings against West Indies at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 140. He also scored 103 runs in seven innings against New Zealand at a strike rate of 151.47.

After 65 T20Is, Hardik Pandya had scored 802 runs at an average of 23.58 and a strike rate of 143.98. He scored 216 runs in 11 innings against England at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 142.10. Pandya also scored 165 runs in seven innings against South Africa at a strike rate of 139.83 and 103 runs in four innings against Australia at a strike rate of 141.09.

50-Plus Scores Comparison

In 65 T20Is, Sam Curran has scored one half-century. He made 50 off 32 balls against West Indies in Grenada in December 2023, hitting four fours and three sixes. He also played a quick knock of 24 off 11 balls against New Zealand in Auckland in November 2019.

Hardik Pandya also had one half-century after 65 T20Is. His best score was 51 off 33 balls against England in Southampton in July 2022. He also scored 46 off 31 balls against South Africa in Rajkot in June 2022 and remained not out on 42 off 22 balls against Australia in Sydney in December 2020.

Bowling Stats Comparison

In 65 T20Is, Sam Curran has taken 60 wickets at an average of 26.70 and an economy rate of 8.57. He took 10 wickets in seven matches against Pakistan at an average of 18.40 and an economy rate of 6.81. Curran also picked up nine wickets in five matches against Sri Lanka at an average of 12.44 and an economy rate of seven.

After 65 T20Is, Hardik Pandya had taken 49 wickets at an average of 27.59 and an economy rate of 8.35. He picked up 14 wickets in 13 matches against England at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 7.70. He also took nine wickets in eight matches against Sri Lanka at an average of 17.33 and an economy rate of 6.68.

Four-Wicket and Five-Wicket Hauls

In 65 T20Is, Sam Curran has one five-wicket haul. His best bowling figures of 5 for 10 came against Afghanistan in Perth during the 2022 T20 World Cup. He also took 3 for 12 against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup final. Curran also had spells of 3 for 25 against Australia in Canberra in October 2022 and 3 for 28 against South Africa in Cape Town in November 2020.

After 65 T20Is, Hardik Pandya had two four-wicket hauls. His best figures were 4 for 33 against England in Southampton in July 2022. He also took 4 for 38 against England in Bristol in July 2018 and claimed 3 for 29 against Sri Lanka in Cuttack in December 2017.