Pakistan's left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi reached a significant milestone in ODI cricket on Sunday during the fourth match of the tri-series against England at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Bowling first, Shaheen dismissed England opener Tom Banton early in the innings to claim his 150th wicket in the 50-over format.
The 26-year-old became the fastest Pakistani pacer and the second-fastest Pakistani bowler overall to reach the milestone. Shaheen achieved the feat in his 80th ODI, just two matches behind former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who holds the record for the fastest Pakistani bowler to take 150 wickets in 78 matches.
However, Shaheen surpassed legendary Pakistani pacers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, both of whom required 91 matches to claim 150 ODI wickets, to become the country's fastest fast bowler to reach the mark. The achievement further underscores Shaheen's pivotal role in Pakistan's bowling attack as he continues to cement his legacy in international cricket.
Cricket analysts have lauded the pacer for his consistency and ability to strike early in the innings. His performance at the Gaddafi Stadium was marked by precision and pace, which troubled the English batting lineup from the very first over.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and former players took to social media to congratulate the star bowler. Many believe that at his current trajectory, Shaheen is well on his way to breaking several more long-standing records in the sport.
Shaheen's journey from a young talent to a world-class spearhead has been nothing short of remarkable. His ability to swing the new ball and execute yorkers in the death overs makes him a complete package for the national team.
As the tri-series progresses, the team management is expected to rely heavily on his experience to secure a spot in the final. The fans in Lahore were ecstatic to witness the historic moment live at the stadium.
With this record, Shaheen joins an elite list of international bowlers who have reached the 150-wicket mark at a young age. His focus now shifts to the remaining matches of the series and the upcoming international calendar.
The record also serves as a morale booster for the entire Pakistani squad, which has been working hard to improve its standing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. The team's collective effort, led by key performers like Shaheen, remains the focal point of their strategy.
As the match continues, all eyes remain on the left-arm pacer to see if he can add more scalps to his tally and lead Pakistan to a decisive victory against the visitors.