Shaheen Afridi’s Historic Achievement in International Cricket
Shaheen Shah Afridi created history during the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on December 10, 2024. The Pakistan pacer became the youngest and fastest bowler to claim 100 wickets across all three formats of international cricket—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
This remarkable milestone places Afridi in an elite group of bowlers, alongside legends like Lasith Malinga, Shakib Al Hasan, and Tim Southee.
South Africa vs Pakistan 1st T20I: A Fierce Start
South Africa opted to bat first in the opening T20I, but their innings began poorly. Shaheen Afridi made an immediate impact, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen in the very first over. Abrar Ahmed followed up with two quick wickets, reducing the hosts to a shaky 28-3 during the powerplay.
Read more: How to watch SA vs PAK T20i Series 2024.
However, David Miller’s explosive 82 off 40 balls and George Linde’s 48 off 24 helped South Africa recover, pushing their total to 183-9. Afridi’s disciplined bowling earned him three wickets, including the crucial scalp of Miller.
Shaheen Afridi Achieves 100 Wickets Across All Formats
During the 16th over of South Africa’s innings, Afridi dismissed Nqabayomzi Peter, marking his 100th T20I wicket. This milestone makes him the fourth bowler to achieve 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Elite Bowlers with 100 Wickets in All Formats
Here’s how Afridi compares to the other players who have achieved this feat:
| Player | Test Wickets | ODI Wickets | T20I Wickets | Age at Completion | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 101 | 338 | 107 | 36 years, 9 days | 332 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 246 | 317 | 149 | 34 years, 138 days | 357 |
| Tim Southee | 389 | 221 | 164 | 32 years, 319 days | 306 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 116 | 112 | 100 | 24 years, 248 days | 161 |
Youngest and Fastest to the Milestone
Afridi’s achievement stands out not just because of his age but also the speed at which he accomplished it. At just 24 years and 248 days, Afridi is the youngest bowler to reach 100 wickets in all formats.
He also achieved the milestone in just 161 matches—significantly fewer than the other bowlers in this elite club. This highlights his ability to excel in all formats consistently.
A Bright Future for Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan Cricket
Although Pakistan lost the match by 11 runs, Afridi’s historic performance remained the highlight. With 116 Test wickets, 112 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets, Afridi has established himself as one of the finest pacers in modern cricket.
As Shaheen Afridi continues to lead Pakistan’s bowling attack, his historic 100-wicket milestone sets the stage for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Shaheen Afridi is the youngest and fastest cricketer to claim 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
- He achieved this milestone during the 1st T20I against South Africa in Durban.
- Afridi joins an elite club of bowlers, including Lasith Malinga, Shakib Al Hasan, and Tim Southee.
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