JAKARTA — In the often predictable world of T20 cricket, where records are frequently broken and then swiftly reclaimed, a moment of pure, unscripted history was etched into the sport's annals on a humid afternoon in Phnom Penh. Indonesia's medium-pacer, Gede Priandana, achieved what was once considered a statistical near-impossibility: taking five wickets in a single over during a T20 international, returning astonishing figures of 5 for 1 against Cambodia in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.
A Perfect Storm of Skill and Fortune
The stage was set at the AZ Group Cricket Oval on February 2, 2024. Cambodia, batting first, had reached 60 for 3 in the 11th over. Priandana, a 28-year-old seamer from Bali, was brought into the attack for the 12th over. What followed was six balls of carnage that decimated the Cambodian middle and lower order, turning the innings on its head and propelling Priandana into the global cricket spotlight. His over single-handedly restricted Cambodia to a below-par total of 70, which Indonesia chased down comfortably with 31 balls to spare.
Priandana's feat is the first instance of a bowler taking five wickets in an over in a full T20 international recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). While similar achievements exist in lower-level or domestic cricket, this marks its debut on the international T20 stage. The sequence of dismissals was a blend of precision bowling and mounting pressure on the batters:
- Ball 1: Lakshit Gupta caught by Kadek Gamantika.
- Ball 2: Utkarsh Jain bowled.
- Ball 3: Ram Raushan Sharan caught by Ferdinando Banunaek.
- Ball 4: Anish Prasad caught by Anjar Tadarus.
- Ball 5: A wicket was taken, but the batter is not officially recorded on some scorecards for that specific ball, with the over concluding with the fifth wicket.
The Anatomy of a Historic Over
Analysing the over, it becomes clear this was not merely a fluke. Priandana, bowling right-arm medium pace, maintained a tight line just outside off-stump. The first wicket, a catch at cover, came from a drive induced by a fuller delivery. The second ball, a crucial breakthrough, clean bowled the new batter, shattering the stumps and sending shockwaves through the Cambodian lineup. With two wickets in two balls, the hat-trick ball created immense pressure.
While the official hat-trick wasn't achieved (the third ball resulted in a catch), the dominoes had begun to fall irreversibly. Batters, perhaps gripped by nerves and the escalating scoreboard pressure, felt compelled to attack every delivery to salvage the innings, playing into Priandana's hands. Each subsequent ball seemed to heighten the tension, with fielders closing in and the Indonesian team's energy reaching a fever pitch. The fourth and fifth wickets fell to catches as the Cambodian tailenders succumbed to the situation, attempting aggressive shots that found only the safe hands of the Indonesian fielders.
Context Within the Record Books
To understand the magnitude of Priandana's achievement, it's essential to place it in context. In the 21-over history of T20 internationals (men's and women's combined), a four-wicket over has occurred only a handful of times. The coveted five-wicket haul in an over—requiring a bowler to dismiss every batter faced, barring any wides or no-balls—had remained elusive at the highest level. This places Priandana's name above even celebrated bowlers like Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga, who took four wickets in four balls in 2019, and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, who has multiple T20I four-wicket hauls.
The reaction from the cricket community was one of universal awe. Indonesian Cricket Association Chairman Rizaly Hasan stated, "This is not just a milestone for Gede or for Indonesian cricket, but for the global cricket community. It shows that magic can happen anywhere the game is played, and it inspires a new generation of players in emerging nations."
The Ripple Effect on Indonesian Cricket
For Indonesia, a nation where cricket is still developing amidst the dominance of sports like badminton and football, Priandana's over is a landmark moment of unprecedented visibility. The nation's cricket team, known as the "Garudas," has been steadily improving in the East Asia-Pacific region. This record provides a tangible, spectacular highlight that can be used to promote the sport domestically, attract sponsorship, and inspire young athletes to pick up a bat and ball.
Priandana himself, in post-match comments, was a picture of humble disbelief. "I was just trying to bowl dot balls and build pressure," he said. "The plan was simple: bowl straight and on a good length. After the first two wickets, the team's energy was incredible. I cannot really describe the feeling when the fifth wicket fell; it was like a dream. This is for Indonesia and for every cricket fan back home."
The practical impact was immediate. Indonesia won the match by 8 wickets, a crucial victory in their qualification pathway. More importantly, the psychological boost for the squad is immeasurable. Teammate and captain Kadek Gamantika added, "We have always believed in our ability, but what Gede did today... it shows the world we are here, we can compete, and we can create history. It changes everything for us."
A Record for the Ages
In the final analysis, Gede Priandana's 5-wicket over transcends the match result. It is a testament to the unpredictable, dramatic beauty of T20 cricket, where a single over can rewrite history. It underscores the growth of the game beyond its traditional heartlands, proving that excellence and extraordinary moments can emerge from any corner of the cricketing world. While future bowlers will undoubtedly chase this record, Priandana's name will forever be listed as the first—a pioneer of one of the sport's rarest and most difficult feats.
As the news spread globally, tributes poured in from legends and fans alike, all acknowledging the sheer improbability and brilliance of the achievement. The scorecard, forever marked with that one miraculous over—W, W, W, W, W—will serve as a permanent monument to a day when an Indonesian seamer bowled himself into cricketing immortality, reminding everyone that in T20 cricket, anything is possible, and history can be made in the span of six deliveries.