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Lockie Ferguson, a New Zealand fast bowler, etched his name in the annals of T20 World Cup history with a spell of unparalleled brilliance against Papua New Guinea in their final group match. In an extraordinary display of pace and precision, Ferguson bowled four consecutive maiden overs, a feat previously unmatched in the tournament's history.
Ferguson's journey to this remarkable achievement began in the fifth over of PNG's innings. With the New Zealand team opting to bowl first in the rain-delayed encounter, Ferguson was introduced into the attack and immediately made his presence felt. On his very first delivery, he dismissed the PNG captain, Assad Vala, for a paltry six runs, setting the tone for his dominant spell.
The speed and accuracy of Ferguson's bowling proved to be a major challenge for the PNG batsmen, who struggled to cope with his relentless pace. He continued his relentless assault from the other end after the powerplay, dismissing Sese Bau with another maiden over. His ability to mix his lengths and change his pace kept the PNG batsmen guessing, making it virtually impossible for them to score.
Ferguson's impact was not limited to the powerplay overs. He was brought back into the attack in the 12th over and once again made an instant impact, removing Charles Amini for 17 runs with his second delivery of the over. His control and precision were evident as he consistently bowled in the right areas, preventing the PNG batsmen from getting any momentum.
In his final over, Ferguson's dominance reached its pinnacle. While he conceded two runs off the third ball, they were given as leg-byes, meaning they did not contribute to his final figures. This was the only time he failed to bowl a maiden over in his spell. He concluded his historic spell by dismissing Chad Soper for a single run, achieving the unthinkable – four maiden overs for three wickets in a T20 World Cup match.
Ferguson's remarkable achievement made him only the second bowler in T20I history to achieve this milestone. The first to accomplish this feat was Saad Bin Zafar of Canada, who bowled four maidens in a T20 World Cup qualifier against Panama. However, Zafar had taken only two wickets in his spell, a record that Ferguson surpassed with his three dismissals. Ferguson's performance was not only a testament to his individual brilliance but also showcased the immense talent and potential that he possesses as a bowler.
Despite Ferguson's heroics, New Zealand's campaign in the T20 World Cup was marred by disappointment. The team, led by Kane Williamson, suffered defeats to Afghanistan and West Indies, which ultimately led to their early elimination from the competition. Their final match against PNG was merely a formality, with nothing but pride at stake for the Kiwis.
Adding to the disappointment, New Zealand's leading fast bowler, Trent Boult, announced his retirement from T20I cricket following the World Cup. While Ferguson's exceptional performance provided a glimmer of hope for the future, the overall performance of the Kiwi team left much to be desired. The tournament served as a reminder that the world of T20 cricket is fiercely competitive, and even established teams like New Zealand need to constantly adapt and evolve to remain at the top.