Pakistan’s ace left-arm pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has made history by becoming the first Pakistani bowler and youngest globally to achieve 100 wickets in all three formats of international cricket—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The feat was accomplished during the opening T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, on December 10, 2024.
Shaheen’s latest milestone places him in an elite club alongside New Zealand’s Tim Southee, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga.
Shaheen Afridi’s Milestones in Numbers
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 31 | 116 | 27.88 |
| ODI | 56 | 112 | 23.13 |
| T20I | 74 | 100 | 20.87 |
Youngest to Achieve 100 Wickets Across Formats
At just 24 years old, Shaheen surpassed New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who achieved the same milestone at 32 years and 319 days, to become the youngest player to claim 100 wickets across formats.
Shaheen Afridi’s Performance Against South Africa
Shaheen’s historic achievement came with a stellar performance in the first T20I against South Africa:
- Figures: 3/22 in 4 overs
- Key Wickets:
- Rassie van der Dussen (Golden Duck)
- David Miller (82 runs)
- Nqabayomzi Peter (100th T20I wicket)
Despite his heroics, Pakistan lost the match by 11 runs while chasing a target of 184.
Most Wickets in T20Is for Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi now joins an elite club of Pakistani bowlers who have taken 100+ wickets in T20Is:
| Player | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Haris Rauf | 78 | 110 |
| Shadab Khan | 104 | 107 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 74 | 100 |
| Shahid Afridi | 98 | 97 |
Global Fastest to 100 T20I Wickets
Shaheen also ranks among the fastest bowlers to reach 100 T20I wickets globally, achieving the milestone in just 74 matches:
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Haris Rauf (PAK) | 72 |
| Mark Adair (IRE) | 73 |
| Shaheen Afridi (PAK) | 74 |
Shaheen Afridi: A Modern-Day Cricket Legend
Shaheen’s ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers, swing the new ball, and dominate death overs has cemented his status as one of Pakistan’s finest bowlers. His achievements not only inspire the next generation of cricketers but also position him as a key player for Pakistan’s future campaigns.
With two more T20Is left in the series, Shaheen has a chance to surpass India’s Arshdeep Singh as the leading wicket-taker against South Africa in T20I.
Shaheen Afridi’s historic milestone is a testament to his incredible talent and dedication. As Pakistan’s cricketing gem, he continues to shine on the international stage, setting records and achieving remarkable feats.
