UAE head towards T20 World Cup exit despite Karthik Meiyappan hat-trick against Sri Lanka

Karthik Meiyappan left the T20 World Cup with a glorious forget-me-not, but UAE are facing elimination from the competition after wilting against the pace of Dushmantha Chameera in Geelong.

The 22-year-old leg-spinner became the first UAE male cricketer to take a hat-trick in T20 internationals as he did everything he could to peg back Sri Lanka at Kardinia Park.

In the process, he became just the fifth player to achieve the feat in T20 World Cup history, joining a list including Brett Lee, Curtis Campher, Wanindu Hasaranga and Kagiso Rabada.

His victims were Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka. His salvo was much needed, as UAE attempted to save their place in the tournment.

The national team needed to beat Sri Lanka if they were to have any chance of advancing to the main stage of the competition.

That looked to be stretching far beyond their reach after the Asia Cup champions made a blistering start at Kardinia Park.

Abetted by some wayward bowling by the national team, Sri Lanka were 42 for no loss in the fifth over, then 92-1 the 12th.

At that point, Rajapaksa – their Asia Cup final hero – arrived at the crease to a huge roar from the Sri Lankan fans.

UAE's Karthik Meiyappan celebrates his hat-trick during the T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka at the Kardinia Park in Geelong on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. AFP

It was then that Meiyappan brought his presence to bear. Rajapaksa chipped up a catch to Kashif Daud when on just five.

From the next delivery, Asalanka edged behind to Vriitya Aravind, who was a teammate of Meiyappan’s at the Under 19 version of the World Cup a little over two years ago.

When Meiyappan completed the set with his next ball, as he worked the ball through the defences of