Afghanistan's T20I skipper Rashid Khan created history on Monday, September 01, by becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20Is. The leg spinner achieved this historic milestone against the UAE, going past New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee's record to now sit at the top. The Kiwi bowler played 126 T20Is from 2008 to 2024 and picked up 164 wickets, whereas the Afghan skipper has 165 wickets in 98 games.
In the game against the UAE, Rashid dismissed three UAE batters for just 21 runs in the third game of the ongoing T20I tri-series being played between Pakistan, Afghanistan & UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday evening. In the shortest format at the international level, since playing his first match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on October 26, 2015, the 26-year-old has played 97 matches for Afghanistan and one game for ICC World XI.
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Rashid has picked 163 wickets for the national team and picked up two wickets in four overs as an ICC World XI player against the West Indies at the iconic Lord's Cricket Stadium on May 31, 2018. The 26-year-old has so far played against 18 teams, & picked up the most wickets against the Ireland team. In the 21 T20Is played against the Irish, he has picked up 45 wickets.
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Rashid Khan on the course becoming legend
At the age of just 26, Rashid Khan has almost 400 international wickets. He is also the most sought-after overseas player in T20 leagues. In the IPL, he was also retained as the primary pick alongside Gujarat Titans (GT) leader Shubman Gill. The Afghan spinner also holds the record for most wickets in T20s. The spinner has played 19 franchises so far and picked up a staggering 664 wickets in just 489 games. In the list of bowlers for most wickets in T20s, the 26-year-old is followed by Dwayne Bravo (631 wickets in 582 games) and Sunil Narine (591 wickets in 561 games).
Rashid will next be seen in action against Pakistan on September 02 in the fourth T20I game in the ongoing T20 tri-series in Sharjah. He will be keen to continue his good form and help Afghanistan beat the Men in Green.
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