WEB DESK: Pacer Shaheen Afridi Afridi scripts history as he becomes the first Pakistani bowler to take 100 wickets in all three formats of international cricket.
Shaheen’s achievement came during the first T20I against South Africa on December 10.
At the age of 24, Afridi achieved the 100 T20I wickets milestone, becoming the fastest second in 74 matches. His compatriot Haris Rauf, who has taken just 71 matches to touch the century, holds the record for fastest. This landmark by Shaheen joins him to an elite world club that has achieved the impressive feat of 100 wickets in all three formats comprising Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, and Lasith Malinga.
Shaheen Afridi milestone in International Cricket
| Format | Wickets | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 116 | N/A |
| ODIs | 112 | N/A |
| T20Is | 100 | 74 |
Afridi was the most brilliant bowler from Pakistan in the first T20I against South Africa, returning three wickets for 22 runs during his four overs.
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It was a great start for Pakistan to defend a very difficult total. He picked up Rassie van der Dussen with an ideal yorker before removing the dangerous David Miller, who had embarrassed the rest of his team with an 82, from taking it away from Pakistan. Afridi’s reading of Nqabayomzi Peter in front would become his 100th T20I wicket.
Shaheen Afridi key wickets in first T20I against South Africa
| Wicket No. | Batsman | Method of Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rassie van der Dussen | Bowled (Yorker) |
| 2 | David Miller | Caught (Bowled Out) |
| 3 | Nqabayomzi Peter | LBW (Leg Before Wicket) |
Despite the convincing performance of Shaheen, Pakistan could not chase the target of 184 runs and lost the match by 11 runs. The highlight of the batting for Pakistan was Mohammad Rizwan’s valiant 74 runs, but the other batsmen could not support him, and they fell short.
