29-07-2025
Watch: Australia ‘legend' bowls worst over you may ever see
Spectators at Leicester's Grace Road witnessed one of the most bizarre overs ever in cricket when Australia's John Hastings bowled 12 wides and a no-ball as his side slumped to a 10-wicket defeat by Pakistan in a World Championship of Legends match.
After an Australian side featuring Shaun Marsh and Chris Lynnwere bowled out for just 74 in 11.5 overs – spinner Saeed Ajmal taking six wickets for 16 runs – Pakistan raced to 55 without loss when Hastings was handed the ball in the eighth over by captain Brett Lee. Then the mayhem began.
The 39-year-old pace bowler, who appeared in one Test for his country, but played in 29 one-day internationals, started the nightmare over with five consecutive wides. He sent down two legal balls before following up with a no-ball when he overstepped, another wide, one leg bye, another wide, two legal deliveries and five further wides as the extras handed Pakistan victory.
The Pakistan openers stood in almost disbelief as one wide followed another. Sharjeel Khan eventually finished with 32 runs off 23 balls and Sohaib Maqsood totalled 28 runs from 26 as Pakistan Champions reached the victory target in just 7.5 overs.
It was a chastening experience for 6ft 6in Hastings, who is nicknamed The Duke and was the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2010. He was contracted to play for Durham in the 2016 English County Championship season and in the same year won the Big Smash for the longest six in the Big Bash competition. He retired from Test and ODI cricket in 2017.
The result helped Pakistan maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament and coast into the knockout stages. Australia are already through to the playoffs but cannot afford another shambolic performance.
