Shaheen Afridi Joins Malinga, Southee For Rare World Record After Tight Spell Vs SA

Shaheen Afridi in action for Pakistan [Source: @cricketpakcompk/x]

Pakistan pace maverick Shaheen Shah Afridi attained a significant world record after sending down an exceptional spell against South Africa in the first T20I of their three-match series in Durban. Completing his quota of four overs in a high-scoring South African innings, the speedster knocked over Rassie van der Dussen for a first-ball duck, robbed a century off a rampaging David Miller and trapped Nqabayomzi Peter plumb in front during the death overs.

Claiming astonishing figures of 3-22, Shaheen also completed 100 career T20I wickets in the process to become the first Pakistani cricketer in history, and only the fourth overall to scale a huge world record.

Shaheen Afridi joins elites for rare record

Shaheen Afridi brought up his 100th T20I wicket through the course of his tight-spell against South Africa at Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium on Tuesday, December 10. In doing so, the 24-year-old became the first Pakistani cricketer in history to claim at least 100 wickets in each of the three international forms of the game.

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Moreover, Shaheen Afridi also became only the fourth cricketer overall in history to simultaneously hold 100 or more wickets across all international formats. He joined legendary New Zealand paceman Tim Southee, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and former Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga in an illustrious bowling club.

Here is a breakdown of all bowlers with 100 or more wickets across all international formats:

Despite Shaheen Afridi’s scintillating three-fer and an economical four-over spell, South Africa ended up mounting 183-9 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Hard-hitting radical David Miller top scored for his side, smearing four boundaries and eight sixes in his whirlwind 40-ball 82 in the middle overs.

George Linde also chipped in with a swift 24-ball 48 while batting at number seven to defy the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi.

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