Snubbed for T20 World Cup, Ottneil Baartman Delivers Sensational Hat-trick

• South African pacer Ottneil Baartman was not selected for the T20 World Cup 2026 squad announced on January 2.
• Baartman responded with a match-winning performance in the SA20, taking 5 wickets for 16 runs, including a hat-trick, against Pretoria Capitals.
• His spell helped Paarl Royals secure a spot in the SA20 playoffs by bowling out Capitals for just 127 runs.
• Baartman's hat-trick, the second in SA20 history, included key wickets of Andre Russell, Lizaad Williams, and Lungi Ngidi.
• He is now the highest wicket-taker in SA20 history with 57 wickets in 30 matches, raising questions about his World Cup exclusion.

Why It Matters: Ottneil Baartman, overlooked for the T20 World Cup, delivered a stunning hat-trick in SA20, proving his worth.