Sri Lanka´s Perera grabs hat-trick against India

RANCHI: Sri Lankan paceman Thisara Perera became the fourth cricketer to claim a hat-trick in Twenty20 internationals in the second match of the three-game series against India on Friday.

The 26-year-old bowler dismissed Hardik Pandya, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh off successive deliveries in the penultimate over of the Indian innings to achieve the feat at Ranchi´s JSCA International Stadium.

Australian Brett Lee and the New Zealand duo of Jacob Oram and Tim Southee have also claimed hat-tricks in Twenty20 internationals.

Perera´s 3-33 helped Sri Lanka restrict India to 196 for six after the hosts, eyeing a series-levelling win, threatened to post a 200-plus target. (Reuters)