KOLKATA: Shaheen Afridi became the quickest fast-bowler to complete 100 wickets in one-day cricket during the World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Tuesday in Kolkata.
The 23-year-old pacer did it in 51 matches, overtaking Mitchell Starc who achieved the feat in 52 outings.
Fastest to 100 ODI wickets among fast bowlers (matches)
51 – Shaheen Shah Afridi
52 – Mitchell Starc
54 – Shane Bond
54 – Mustafizur Rahman
55 – Brett Lee
Shaheen is also the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets, going past Saqlain Mushtaq who did it in 53 matches.
Shaheen is considered one of the best bowlers in the world. He features for Pakistan team in all formats of the game and is considered extremely dangerous with the new ball in his hand.
Shaheen made his international debut in Tests, ODIs and T20Is in 2018.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in a crucial World Cup clash.
Bangladesh, who have lost five of their six matches, brought batsman Towhid Hridoy back in for Mahedi Hasan from the side that lost to the Netherlands.
Pakistan have made three changes from the side that lost to South Africa in Chennai by one wicket, recalling fit-again opener Fakhar Zaman as well as Agha Salman and Usama Mir.
Shadab Khan is still recovering from the concussion he suffered during a fall against South Africa while struggling opener Imam-ul-Haq and spinner Mohammad Nawaz were also left out.
Zaman is playing only his second match of the tournament after suffering a knee injury.
With four defeats in six games, Pakistan need to win on Tuesday to keep alive their slim hopes of making the semi-finals.
However, they come into the game with players reportedly not having been paid for five months and with chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq quitting over claims of a conflict of interest.
Teams:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.- Shaheen Afridi