Shaheen Afridi became the youngest bowler in the world to claim 100 wickets across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Introducation to Shaheen Afridi
mileston Shaheen Afridi highlights his prowess as one of the most consistent bowlers in the modern cricketing era. Despite Pakistan’s 11-run loss to South Africa in this game, Shaheen’s record-breaking performance provided a silver lining.
Youngest to 100 Wickets Across Formats
At just 23 years of age, Shaheen Afridi has achieved what many bowlers spend their entire careers striving for. He surpassed New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who previously held the record, reaching the 100-wicket milestone across formats at the age of 32 years and 319 days. Other legendary bowlers who have achieved this rare feat include Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga. Shaheen’s remarkable achievement demonstrates his ability to dominate across all formats, solidifying his place among the cricketing elite.
Pakistan’s T20I Performance: A Mixed Bag
In the first match of the three-T20I series, South Africa set a challenging target for Pakistan, thanks to David Miller’s blistering knock of 82 runs from just 40 balls. While Pakistan fought valiantly, they fell short by 11 runs. Despite the defeat, Shaheen Afridi emerged as a standout performer, picking up three crucial wickets and reaching a historic milestone.
Key Moments of Shaheen’s Spell
- First Wicket: Shaheen struck early, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen with only his third delivery. The South African batter inside-edged a delivery onto his stumps, departing for a golden duck.
- David Miller’s Dismissal: Brought back into the attack during the 14th over, Shaheen managed to break the dangerous partnership by removing Miller. The South African batter, who was in scintillating form, fell victim to a well-directed delivery, caught by Irfan Khan at deep mid-wicket.
- Historic 100th T20I Wicket: On the last ball of the 16th over, Shaheen trapped Nqabayomzi Peter leg before wicket (LBW) to complete his 100th T20I scalp.
Pakistan’s Third Bowler to Reach 100 T20I Wickets
Shaheen Afridi’s latest milestone also places him among Pakistan’s finest T20I bowlers. He became the third bowler from Pakistan to claim 100 T20I wickets.
- Haris Rauf: Leading the pack, Rauf has 110 wickets from 78 T20Is.
- Shadab Khan: The leg-spinner has taken 107 wickets in 104 matches.
- Shaheen Afridi: With 100 wickets from just 74 games, Afridi is now firmly in the top tier.
Notably, Shaheen surpassed his father-in-law, former cricketer Shahid Afridi, in T20I wickets, further adding to the significance of this achievement.
A Bright Future for Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi’s rise to the pinnacle of international cricket has been meteoric. From his debut as a teenage sensation to becoming Pakistan’s go-to bowler across formats, his journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to swing the ball, generate pace, and consistently deliver under pressure makes him a vital asset for Pakistan.
Challenges Ahead
Despite Shaheen’s heroics, Pakistan’s performance in the first T20I highlighted areas for improvement. The bowling unit needs to complement Shaheen’s brilliance, while the batting lineup must show greater consistency to chase down challenging totals.
The Road Ahead
With two matches remaining in the series, Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the series. For Shaheen Afridi, this milestone is just another chapter in what promises to be a legendary career. His determination and skill continue to inspire cricket fans worldwide, and his latest achievement cements his status as one of the game’s brightest stars.
Conclusion
Shaheen Afridi’s record of becoming the youngest bowler to take 100 wickets across formats underscores his extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport. As Pakistan gears up for the remaining matches in the series, fans can expect more stellar performances from their star pacer. Shaheen Afridi’s achievements are not only a testament to his individual brilliance but also a source of pride for Pakistan cricket
