Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has set the world record for the most economical bowling spell in T20 history while playing for the Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Irfan picked up two wickets — Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis — and conceded just one run from his four overs against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Bridgetown.

The first 23 deliveries of his spell were all dot balls while the batsman denied him a fourth consecutive maiden over by scoring a run off his 24th and final delivery — which helped the quick register figures of 4-3-1-2.

This record was previously shared by South Africa’s Chris Morris and Sri Lanka’s Chanaka Welegedara with an economy rate of 0.5 per over while Irfan’s economy rate of 0.25 was better than the duo.

Morris notched up figures of 4-3-2-2 for the Cape Cobras in South Africa’s Ram Slam in November 2014 while Chanaka Welegedara’s numbers were 4-2-2-4 for Tamil Union in Sri Lanka during April 2015.

Despite Irfan’s superb bowling spell, the Tridents were not able to get over the line and suffered their second defeat in four matches of this year’s CPL.

Patriots captain Chris Gayle won the toss and asked the Jason Holder-led Tridents to bat first.

The home side managed 147 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Holder was the top scorer with 54 runs off 35 balls while Shai Hope and Dwayne Smith scored 26 and 20 runs respectively. For the Patriots, Kiwi spinner Anton Devcich and Aussie pacer Ben Cutting picked up two wickets each.

In reply, the visitors found it difficult to tackle the bowling spell of Irfan during the early stages of their innings — but once the Pakistan quick was finished with his spell — the team recovered nicely to chase down the target with seven balls and six wickets to spare. Brandon King scored 60 runs off 49 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes.

Due to his record-breaking spell of fast bowling, Irfan was declared player of the match.

“I’m really happy. I would’ve been happier if the team won, but I am happy that I bowled one of the best spells in T20 cricket,” said Irfan after the match. “I liked bowling on the lively wicket, and I get extra bounce because of my height, so yes, a satisfying performance.”