The job of cricket players is a very difficult one, considering there are different formats of the sport, and they need to adapt accordingly. Initially, Test cricket was the only format of the game, but as the years have passed, ODI and T20Is have gained more popularity.
As the number of overs has decreased, the need of all-rounders has increased. Teams need more players who can contribute in more than one department, but it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Only a few all-rounders have been able to perform to their full potential consistently.
In cricket’s long history, only the following two all-rounders have managed to score a half-century with the bat and take a four-wicket haul with the ball in the same match in Test, ODI and T20I.
1. Hardik Pandya – One of the active Indian players
Current Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has achieved much success across all three formats of cricket. While he does not play red-ball cricket due to fitness issues, Hardik has been an asset for Team India in ODIs and T20Is this year.
In the ongoing tour of England, Hardik scored a half-century and took a four-wicket haul in the first T20I against the England cricket team. In the third ODI of the same tour, he accomplished the same feat again, while in Test matches, he accomplished the same feat in 2018 against England in Nottingham. He took 5/28 with the ball and followed it up with a 52-run knock in the second innings.
2. Mohammad Hafeez
Men with 50+ score and 4+ wicket haul in a match in Test, ODI and T20I cricket:
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) July 17, 2022
Mohammad Hafeez🇵🇰
Hardik Pandya🇮🇳#ENGvIND
The only other all-rounder to achieve this massive feat is former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. While playing against Bangladesh in a Test played in 2015. He scored a double ton and took two wickets each in two innings. In ODIs, he did it against Sri Lanka in 2015, scoring 103 with the bat and taking four wickets, whereas in T20Is, it came against Zimbabwe in 2011, with a 48-ball 71 and figures of 4/10.
