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Shaheen Shah Afridi Becomes Pakistan's Top T20I Wicket-Taker in WC Clash

Shaheen Shah Afridi has become Pakistan's highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, surpassing teammate Haris Rauf. His 4-wicket haul against England also moved him past Abdul Razzaq to become Pakistan's ninth-highest wicket-taker across all international formats. Despite his efforts, Pakistan lost the T20 World Cup Super Eight match as England's Harry Brook scored a match-winning century. The match saw Pakistan post 164/9 before England chased it down with five balls remaining.

Key Points: Shaheen Afridi Becomes Pakistan's Highest T20I Wicket-Taker

  • Shaheen is now Pakistan's top T20I wicket-taker
  • He also passed Abdul Razzaq in all-time international wickets
  • Took 4/30 vs England but Pakistan lost
  • Harry Brook's century powered England's chase
2 min read

T20 WC: Shaheen Shah Afridi becomes Pakistan's highest T20I wicket-taker

Shaheen Shah Afridi surpasses Haris Rauf as Pakistan's leading T20I wicket-taker during a T20 World Cup match against England.

"Shaheen Shah Afridi overtook Haris Rauf, becoming his team's leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket. - Report"

Pallekele, February 24

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi overtook Haris Rauf, becoming his team's leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket. Also, he overtook former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to become his country's ninth-highest wicket-taker in international cricket.

Shaheen experienced a movement up the bowling charts during his side's loss to England in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup at Pallekele, taking 4/30 in his four overs. While his bowling played a big role in reducing England to 58/4 while chasing 165, England skipper Harry Brook's class, hitting and game awareness overcame all challenges.

In 102 T20Is, Shaheen has taken 135 wickets at an average of 21.15, with best figures of 4/22, having taken four four-wicket hauls. Rauf has 133 wickets in 94 matches and 92 innings at an average of 21.10, with best figures of 4/18 and five four-fers.

Now in 206 international matches, Shaheen has 391 wickets at an average of 24.59, with seven five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket haul, including best figures of 6/35. The left-armer is nine wickets away from 400 international wickets and has overtaken all-rounder Razzaq, a prominent figure of Pakistan cricket in the 2000s, to become the nation's ninth-highest wicket-taker.

The highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in international cricket is Wasim Akram, with 916 wickets at an average of 23.57, with 31 five-fors and five ten-fors.

Coming to the match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan (63 in 45 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) continued his fine form in the tournament and along with knocks from Babar, Fakhar Zaman (25 in 16 balls, with two fours and sixes each), and Shadab Khan (23 in 11 balls, with four boundaries) took Pakistan to 164/9.

Liam Dawson (3/24), Jofra Archer (2/32) delivered brilliant four-over spells, while Jamie Overton (2/26) was also brilliant in his three-over spell.

In the run-chase, Shaheen Shah Afridi (4/30) reduced England to 58/4, but Brook (100 in 51 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes) did not give up, stitching partnerships with all-rounders Sam Curran (16 in 15 balls) and Will Jacks (28 in 23 balls, with a four and two sixes) and England won the match with two wickets and five wickets left.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Congratulations to Shaheen! A fantastic achievement at such a young age. He's a joy to watch when he's in rhythm. As an Indian fan, I can appreciate great fast bowling from anywhere. Hope our bowlers are taking notes for the next match!
V
Vikram M
Stats don't lie. 135 wickets in 102 T20Is is phenomenal. But the real story is Pakistan losing despite reducing England to 58/4. Their batting middle order collapsed again. Individual brilliance can't always cover for team weaknesses.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US, but grew up with cricket in India. Shaheen's left-arm angle is so unique and troubling for batters. To overtake legends like Razzaq so quickly shows his caliber. The future of Pakistan's bowling is in safe hands.
R
Rohit P
Brook's century was the difference, plain and simple. Shaheen did his job brilliantly, but cricket is a team sport. Pakistan's total was 15-20 runs short on that pitch. Fielding also let them down in crucial moments. Tough loss.
K
Kavya N
Amazing achievement! 👏 But can we talk about how Haris Rauf was the previous record holder? He's played fewer matches too. The competition within that pace attack must be insane. Healthy rivalry producing such great results.

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