Karachi: During the final match of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand, Shaheen Shah Afridi became the first bowler in the world to take 50 wickets in the opening over of the innings.
The series, which concluded in a 2-2 draw, saw both teams fiercely competing, with Pakistan clinching victories in the second and fifth matches, while New Zealand won the third and fourth. Afridi’s remarkable performance in the series decider not only showcased his bowling prowess but also set a new milestone in the world of cricket.
Afridi delivered a spectacular performance by taking four wickets in the game, and with that performance, he also became the first bowler in the world to take 50 wickets in the opening over of the innings in T20I cricket. In T20 cricket, the second spot is held by India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has taken a total of 43 wickets in the first over.
During the final match of the series Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4 wickets for 30 runs and was declared the Player of the Match. Alongside Afridi, Usama Mir contributed significantly to Pakistan’s win by taking 2 wickets for 21 runs, effectively limiting the Black Caps to a narrow nine-run defeat.
Pakistan set a competitive target of 178/5, led by Babar Azam’s impressive 69 off 44 balls and Fakhar Zaman’s 43 off 33. A swift 15 runs off just five balls by Shadab Khan further bolstered the Pakistani innings.
Throughout his career, Afridi has been known for his fast seam bowling. In T20Is alone, he has played 61 matches and taken 81 wickets at an average of 21.09, with his best figure being 4 for 22. His record in other formats is equally impressive, having played 29 Test matches with 113 wickets at an average of 26.72, and 53 One Day Internationals with 104 wickets at an average of 23.94.
Currently, Afridi ranks 9th in the ICC Test bowling rankings, 7th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, and 17th in the ICC T20 bowling rankings, underscoring his global stature as a leading fast bowler in contemporary cricket.
Shaheen Afridi = 50 wickets
Bhuvneshwar Kumar = 43 wickets
David Willer = 41 wickets
Mohammad Amir = 38 wickets
Sohail Tanvir = 35 wickets
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