Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved a major milestone during the ODI tri-series match against England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, completing 150 wickets in the 50-over format.
The 26-year-old became Pakistan’s quickest fast bowler to reach the landmark, breaking the joint record previously held by former pacers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.
Shaheen reached the milestone in his 80th ODI, while Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar had taken 91 matches each to claim 150 wickets.
Coming into the match against England, Shaheen needed just one wicket to reach the landmark. He dismissed in-form opener Tom Banton in the first over to complete his 150th ODI wicket.
Banton, who had scored four consecutive half-centuries in his previous four innings, chipped a full-length delivery towards cover, where Arafat took a straightforward catch.
With this achievement, Shaheen became Pakistan’s second-fastest bowler overall to reach 150 ODI wickets, behind former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who achieved the feat in 78 matches.
Shaheen Afridi among world’s fastest to 150 ODI wickets
Globally, Shaheen is joint-fourth fastest to reach 150 ODI wickets, alongside Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and India’s Mohammed Shami, who also achieved the milestone in 80 matches.
Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane holds the record for the fastest 150 ODI wickets, reaching the mark in 73 matches. Australia’s Mitchell Starc achieved the feat in 77 matches, while Saqlain Mushtaq did so in 78.
Shaheen’s latest achievement further strengthens his standing among Pakistan’s leading fast bowlers in international cricket.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in the fourth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
The match is being played as the Pink Day fixture of the tri-nation series. Pakistan have made two changes to their playing XI for the encounter. Shadab Khan has replaced Faheem Ashraf, while Razaullah is set to make his ODI debut in place of the injured Naseem Shah.
