Shaheen Afridi Joins Elite Club with 100 T20I Wickets, Surpasses Shahid Afridi’s Record

Pakistan’s ace pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, achieved a monumental milestone by becoming the third Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.

Afridi reached this landmark during a thrilling match against South Africa in Durban on Monday, etching his name in the annals of cricket history.

Breaking Records and Family Legacy

Shaheen Afridi began the match just one wicket shy of breaking his father-in-law Shahid Afridi’s T20I record of 97 wickets. With a sharp delivery, he claimed his 98th wicket, surpassing the record.

He went on to dismiss two more South African batsmen, taking his tally to 100 T20I wickets.

By achieving this feat, Afridi joined the elite club of Pakistani bowlers who have reached the 100-wicket mark in T20Is, a group that includes Haris Rauf with 110 wickets and Shadab Khan with 107.

Shahid Afridi, whose record Shaheen surpassed, remains a legendary figure in Pakistani cricket, but the younger Afridi has now created his own legacy.

A Stellar Performance in Durban

Afridi’s wickets in the match included key dismissals of South African batsmen Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, and Nkaba Yomzi Peter. His precise and impactful bowling spell played a crucial role in Pakistan’s efforts to dominate South Africa in the series.

Shaheen’s achievement also puts him among the youngest bowlers in cricket history to reach the 100-wicket mark in all three international formats—Test, ODI, and T20I.

At just 24 years old, Afridi stands alongside legends like Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, and New Zealand’s Tim Southee.

South Africa Triumphs Despite Afridi’s Heroics

Although Afridi’s performance was outstanding, Pakistan could not secure a victory in the first T20I. South Africa managed to edge out Pakistan by 11 runs in a closely contested match.

Spinner George Linde played a pivotal role for the South African side, taking four wickets and contributing 48 runs off 24 balls. His all-round performance ensured that South Africa set a challenging target of 183-9 in their 20 overs.

David Miller, another standout performer, smashed 82 off 40 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes. His aggressive innings laid a strong foundation for South Africa’s victory.

Pakistan’s Struggle in the Chase

Pakistan’s chase was led by captain Mohammad Rizwan, who stood tall with a well-compiled 74.

However, Rizwan received little support from the other end, as the team struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Despite Rizwan’s efforts, Pakistan fell short, managing 172-8 in their 20 overs.

Afridi’s 3/22 bowling figures kept Pakistan in contention throughout the match, but the lack of contributions from other players ultimately cost them the game.

Afridi’s Place Among the Greats

Afridi’s achievement of 100 T20I wickets in just 74 matches makes him the second-fastest Pakistani bowler to reach the milestone, following Haris Rauf, who accomplished the feat in 71 matches.

Afridi’s versatility and ability to deliver in crucial moments underline his value to the Pakistani team.

His overall record is equally impressive, with 112 wickets in ODIs and 116 in Test matches. He is now the fourth bowler in cricket history to claim 100 wickets in all three formats, joining a select group of multi-format legends.

A Promising Series Ahead

The thrilling opening match sets the stage for the remaining T20Is in the series. The teams will face off again in Pretoria on Friday and Johannesburg on Saturday.

Both sides will look to fine-tune their strategies, with Pakistan aiming to bounce back and South Africa hoping to maintain their momentum.

Next week, the competition will shift to the One Day International format as the two teams prepare for a three-match ODI series. The contests promise to bring more excitement and high-stakes action.