Hasan bags hat-trick in Vitality Blast

June 10,2025
Blogs

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali delivered a match-winning performance, taking six wickets including a hat-trick, as Birmingham Bears defeated Derbyshire Falcons by 58 runs in the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Sunday.

It was the Bears' second consecutive home win, strengthening their position in the tournament.

Batting first, the Bears posted a strong total of 199 for 6. Skipper Alex Davies and Tom Latham gave the hosts a flying start, adding 79 runs for the first wicket. Latham scored a steady 58 from 42 balls, while Davies smashed 49 off just 29 deliveries. Although Derbyshire pulled things back in the later overs—thanks to Pat Brown's 3 for 40—the target was still a tough one.

Derbyshire's chase started disastrously, slipping to 28 for 4 within the first four overs. Despite a fighting 50 off 37 balls from Ross Whiteley and a handy 46 from skipper Wayne Madsen, the Falcons were bowled out for 141 in 17.1 overs.

Hasan Ali was the star of the show with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 23. After picking up early wickets, he returned to clean up the lower order and claim a hat-trick. His three consecutive victims were Ross Whiteley (caught at long-off), Alex Thomson (caught at mid-on), and Ben Aitchison (bowled).

George Garton also had a memorable game, equaling the T20 record for the most catches in a single innings by a non-wicketkeeper with five. He contributed with the bat too, hitting 12 runs off the final three deliveries he faced. Garton's sharp fielding helped dismiss key Derbyshire batters, including Caleb Jewell, Aneurin Donald, and David Lloyd.

Derbyshire, already dealing with injuries, were without veteran all-rounder Samit Patel due to a calf issue. They had to bring in Fynn Hudson-Prentice on loan from Sussex, but he couldn't stop the team's top-order collapse.

With this dominant win, the Bears continue to look like a strong, well-balanced side. Derbyshire, on the other hand, are struggling badly, having now lost all four of their matches in the competition.