English right-arm pacer Saqib Mahmood has returned to the English T20I side and delivered a stunning over on his comeback by picking up three wickets in his first over without conceding any runs. It was a historic first over from the 27-year-old pacer. 

Saqib Mahmood has returned to the Pune T20I, which is the fourth game of the five-match T20I series against the hosts India, where England are trailing by 2-1. It was his first professional match after last November and produced a powerful start with the ball in hand. 

After Jofra Archer conceded 12 runs in the first over of the match as the English skip, Saqib Mahmood made his international comeback with a wicket of the Indian opener Sanju Samson. It was a short delivery and Samson once again fell into the trap as his pull shot found deep square leg fielder Brydon Carse. 

On the next delivery, Mahmood took the wicket of in-form Tilak Varma (0). The left-hander went for a rash short and was caught out at deep third. That wicket set the momentum of a hat-trick for Mahmood.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav came to bat at no.4 and survived the hat-trick delivery of Mahmood. But after two more dot balls, Yadav was caught out at short mid-on as Mahmood ended the over with a triple-wicket maiden. According to England Cricket, it was the first time in men's T20I history that a player started with a maiden plus three wickets. 

WW000W!

Saqib Mahmood's first over of the tour - and he starts with a triple-wicket maiden! 🤯

The first time this has EVER happened in a men's T20 international 😲 https://t.co/VRb0Bx1N07 pic.twitter.com/NsoK91TUFx

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 31, 2025

Tilak verma first ball 🦆duck #mahmood #tilak #Saqib mahmood pic.twitter.com/ciggUwCEHD

— nikita राजस्थानी (@nikitashivam88) January 31, 2025