Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first Pakistani and the fourth overall to claim 100 wickets in all three formats of the game. This remarkable achievement was reached during the first T20I of the three-match series against South Africa.
Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, made history by becoming the first Pakistani cricketer to take 100 wickets in all three formats of international cricket. He achieved this milestone during the first T20 International against South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban.
At just 24 years old, Afridi joined an elite group of cricketers. He became only the fourth player worldwide to achieve this feat, alongside New Zealand’s Tim Southee, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga.
In T20Is, Afridi reached the 100-wicket mark in his 74th match, making him the second-fastest Pakistani to achieve this milestone after Haris Rauf, who did so in 71 games. In addition to his T20I success, Afridi has claimed 112 wickets in ODIs and 116 in Test cricket, cementing his status as one of the finest bowlers of his generation.
Despite Afridi’s incredible performance, which included three wickets in the match, Pakistan fell short in their chase against South Africa. David Miller’s explosive 82 off 40 balls, supported by George Linde’s all-round brilliance, helped South Africa secure an 11-run victory. Linde, who scored 48 runs and took four wickets, was named Player of the Match.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, led the chase with a valiant 74, keeping Pakistan in contention until the final over. However, his dismissal sealed South Africa’s win.
Afridi’s milestone adds to his already impressive resume and highlights his consistency across all formats. He is also the youngest pacer globally to achieve 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Alongside Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are the only other Pakistani bowlers to have taken 100 T20I wickets.
Speaking about his achievement, Afridi expressed pride in representing Pakistan and dedicated the feat to his fans and team. “It’s an honor to achieve this milestone for my country. The journey has been challenging but rewarding,” he said.
Despite the loss, Afridi’s record-breaking achievement is a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and solidifies his place as one of the game’s greats.
