Cricket World Cup 2023

Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi becomes fastest quick to 100 ODI wickets with trademark first-over lbw

by Wisden Staff October 31, 2023 - 8:48am 3 minute read

Watch: Playing against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Shaheen Shah Afridi became the fastest pace-bowler to reach 100 wickets in men’s ODIs.

Shaheen came into the Bangladesh match in Kolkata with 99 wickets from 50 ODIs, and began with four dot balls after Shakib Al Hasan opted to bat.

Tanzid Hasan Tamim did not get as forward as he would have wanted to the fifth, and was struck on the top of his front pad. Nitin Menon ruled him out leg-before. Tanzid reviewed, and the cameras suggested that the ball would have clipped the top of the stumps.

Tanzid therefore became Shaheen’s 100th ODI wicket. At 51 ODIs, Shaheen is the quickest to the landmark in the format among fast bowlers, improving on Mitchell Starc’s previous record by one match.

Shaheen also broke Saqlain Mushtaq’s Pakistan record of 53 ODIs. Among Pakistan fast bowlers, Waqar Younis (59) previously held the record.

Two spinners, however, have taken fewer matches to reach 100 ODI wickets. Rashid Khan required only 44 matches, while Sandeep Lamichhane had needed only 42.

In his next over, Shaheen snared Najmul Hossain Shanto caught at square-leg to move to 101 wickets, while Hasan Rauf took out Mushfiqur Rahim in the sixth over.

After seven overs Bangladesh were 27-3 with Litton Das is at the crease along with Mahmudullah (0). Bangladesh are chasing their second win of the tournament after four consecutive losses, while Pakistan are looking to stop their slide down the table after losing four games on the bounce.