Nobody saw it coming, but Mahedi Hasan has done something nobody has done in more than a decade. The Bangladesh all-rounder shattered a record that was set by Harbhajan Singh in 2012. And he did so in a T20 World Cup game. This is how Mahedi made his name in the history of cricket.
Harbhajan Singh’s Historical Record
Until 2024, the best bowling figures in the group stage of the T20 World Cup were the 4/12 bowling figures by Harbhajan Singh against England in the 2012 T20 World Cup. His bowling was both surgical and intelligent variation, and very few spinners at the time could compete with his work on that pitch. Viewers who watched that match or who had been monitoring probabilities at a betting site understood how uncommon such a spell was. No one bested that stat line in a comparable situation in almost 20 years.
The name of Harbhajan became synonymous with T20 spin. Whenever discussing the big-match economy and the wicket-taking influence, analysts used to refer to that 2012 performance. His 4/12 was not a lucky one. It was the consequence of the highest-level control and complete match awareness until Mahedi Hasan arrived.
Mahedi Hasan’s Match-Winning Performance
Mahedi Hasan did not simply break the record, but he shattered it in the most ruthless way that leaves no argument. In the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka, his spell helped alter the mood of the game in a different direction. The significant figures of Mahedi’s record-breaking spell:
- 4-3.0 overs, four wickets, nine runs – The most economical 4-wicket haul in the group-stage history of the T20 World Cup.
- Maids in the first over, with double wickets – got the process of Sri Lanka’s collapse underway immediately.
- Removed the middle order of Sri Lanka -They have their highest run-scorer and two left-handers.
It was not simply about numbers; it was about control, reading the batters, and executing every plan to perfection.
Context Behind the Record-Breaking Feat
Mahedi Hasan did not set a record-breaking record in a vacuum. It was the match preparation, pitch dynamics, and the quality of the opponent. The situation was abnormal. There was a different pressure. This was not an accident; it was a textbook combination of planning and uncompromising aggression from the start.
Pitch and Match Conditions
The surface in the R. Premadasa Stadium was grippy. Spinners were not allowed to be loose; they did not have a free ride. It was not a dry continental wicket, and at times the ball used to skid through. It required Mahedi to vary lengths all the time and be intelligent with the crease. Furthermore, it was a bowling strategy and not the use of spin-friendly surfaces.
There was high humidity, but dew was not a factor in the Sri Lanka innings. The outfield remained fast. The batting was not impossible, but required technique and discipline, which Sri Lanka lacked.
Sri Lanka Batting Struggles
Sri Lanka did not simply lose wickets; they fell apart mentally. Their batters appeared uncertain in their footwork and failed to pick up Mahedi’s variations in pace. The top order batted off the crease and suffered the consequences. Nobody attempted to rotate strike regularly.
It was not just a matter of lack of skills, but also a matter of pressure decision-making. They were reluctant to attack the length balls and over-committed to the full balls. Bangladesh had the idea of where to bowl, but Sri Lanka contributed with bad will. The low score of less than 4 after the power play told it all.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
Former professionals, analysts, and cricketers responded instantly on social media. It was like a World Cup final to the Bangladesh fans. Local journalists compared it to the 5/29 by Khabib vs. the West Indies in 2009.
Dhaka analysts went further, citing the same arm speed and seam position of Mahedi. It was the lead on the homepage of ESPNcricinfo, 20 minutes later. The show was not only good but also gained popularity across the world in a short time.
What This Means for Bangladesh Cricket
This alters the perception of Bangladesh in ICC tournaments. It indicates that they can dominate on non-spin-friendly home courts. Local young players have a new reference point of elite execution. What is more critical: Bangladesh at last has a world T20 record. It puts a new spin on the discussion and gives it a new meaning.