Pakistani cricket player breaks ODI record held by Indian player, claiming four wickets against the West Indies as a Full Member team.
Pakistan's fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has made history in the world of One-Day International (ODI) cricket. After 65 ODIs, Afridi has the most wickets (131) among ICC Full Members, a feat that sets him apart in the cricket world.
Afridi's impressive performance extends beyond the sheer number of wickets. Among ICC Full Member men's ODI bowlers with a minimum of 100 wickets, Afridi currently holds the best strike rate at an impressive 25.4 balls per wicket. This means he takes a wicket every 25.4 deliveries, a testament to his consistency and skill.
Previously, India's Mohammed Shami held the best strike rate with 25.8 balls per wicket. However, Afridi's performance has surpassed Shami's, making him the standout bowler in this group.
Australia's Mitchell Starc, with 133 wickets after 67 matches, had a slightly higher strike rate than Afridi's current mark. Rashid Khan, an associate nation bowler, also had a similar wicket count but is not included in the Full Member rankings.
Here's a summary of the top strike rates among Full Member bowlers with minimum 100 ODI wickets:
| Bowler | Strike Rate (Balls/Wicket) | Notes | |-----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 25.4 | Current best among Full Members, 131 wickets in 65 ODIs | | Mohammed Shami | 25.8 | Previously held best strike rate | | Mitchell Starc | Slightly higher than 25.8 | Held wicket records for matches played | | Rashid Khan (Affiliate nation) | Not applicable for Full Members | Mentioned with similar wicket counts but not Full Member |
As Afridi continues to play, he is on track to break more records. To break the 67-game record currently held by Mitchell Starc and Rashid Khan, Afridi needs to go past Starc's 133 wickets. If Afridi is included in the XI for the next game, he will hold the record after 66 games.
It's worth noting that Bilal Khan of Oman has the best strike rate (24.8) among all nations if the cut-off is the same. However, Bilal Khan is not a Full Member, and Afridi remains the top bowler in this category.
Moreover, Afridi is the only one with more than two wickets per ODI at the 65-game stage, further emphasising his exceptional performance. Afridi's achievements in ODI cricket are a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.
Sports news continues to highlight the exceptional performance of Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi in the world of One-Day International cricket. His current best strike rate of 25.4 balls per wicket among ICC Full Member men's ODI bowlers with a minimum of 100 wickets puts him at the top, setting a new standard in the cricket world.
