PARIS: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan bowled the most economical spell in Twenty20 history on Saturday, only conceding a run from his final ball.
The giant 7ft 1in (2.16m) left-armer, playing for Barbados Tridents against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League, also took the wickets of the usually big-hitting West Indies internationals Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis.
But Irfan ended up on the losing side anyway, as after he had bowled his maximum four overs, the Patriots chased down their target of 148 with seven balls to spare to win by six wickets.
“I’m really happy. I would’ve been happier if the team won, but I am happy that I bowled one of the best spells in T20 cricket,” said Irfan after the match.
“I liked bowling on the lively wicket, and I get extra bounce because of my height, so yes, a satisfying performance.”
The 36-year-old, who hasn’t played internationally for two years, dismissed star man Gayle with the first delivery of the innings.
Irfan ended with figures of four overs, three maidens, with two wickets for one run.
Four overs for one run: Irfan breaks T20 record
Four overs for one run: Irfan breaks T20 record
- Irfan also took the wickets of the usually big-hitting West Indies internationals Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis
- Irfan ended with figures of four overs, three maidens, with two wickets for one run
US invests in counter-drone tech to protect FIFA World Cup venues
The US will invest $115 million in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, the latest sign of governments stepping up drone defenses.
The FIFA World Cup will be a major test of President Donald Trump’s pledge to keep the US secure, with over a million travelers expected to visit for the tournament and billions more watching matches from overseas.
The threat of drone attacks has become a growing concern since the war in Ukraine has demonstrated their lethal capabilities. And recent drone incidents have worried both European and US airports.
“We are entering a new era to defend our air superiority to protect our borders and the interior of the United States,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. Defense companies are developing a range of technologies aimed at countering drones, including tracking software, lasers, microwaves and autonomous machine guns.
The DHS did not specify which technologies it would deploy to World Cup venues. The announcement comes weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which sits under DHS, said it granted $250 million to 11 states hosting World Cup matches to buy counter-drone technologies.
Last summer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, called on Trump, a Republican, to bolster federal support for defending against drone attacks.
