Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s top pacer, made history Tuesday at Kingsmead Stadium in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series against South Africa. After taking 100 wickets across all formats, the 24-year-old became the first bowler from Pakistan to do so.
With stats of 3/22, Shaheen Afridi, who started the game just three wickets short of reaching the 100 T20I wicket milestone, achieved a historic feat. Alongside Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, he became the third bowler from Pakistan to reach 100 T20I wickets thanks to his accomplishments.
After Haris Rauf, who achieved the feat in 71 games, Afridi became the second-fastest Pakistani to reach the milestone in his 74th Twenty20 International encounter.
Afridi joined a select group that includes Tim Southee of New Zealand, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh, and Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka as the fourth player in the world to take 100 wickets in all three forms of international cricket.
Afridi’s status as one of the most adaptable and potent bowlers in contemporary cricket has been further cemented by his 112 ODI and 116 Test wicket totals in addition to his T20I total.
Pakistan lost the inaugural Twenty20 International by 11 runs, despite Afridi’s valiant efforts with the ball.
With a late flourish from George Linde and a scorching half-century from David Miller, South Africa, who batted first, amassed a commanding 183/9. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf both contributed two wickets, but Afridi was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking three vital wickets.
Pakistan’s batting order struggled under strain while chasing 184, losing wickets frequently. With a heroic 74 off 62 balls, Mohammad Rizwan led the innings, but Pakistan had too much work to do in the last overs due to his sluggish strike rate. Pakistan ultimately fell 11 runs short, managing 172/8 in their 20 overs.
Pakistan will try to rally and tie the series in the second Twenty20 International of the series on Thursday, December 12. A victory would guarantee the series for South Africa and give them more confidence going into the next international matches.
