Pakistan's bowling sensation, Shaheen Shah Afridi, reaches 350 international wickets milestone
Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against West Indies, with the second and third matches yet to be played in Trinidad and Tobago.
In the first match, Pakistan opted to field and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the left-arm fast bowler, struck early, taking three wickets. His best figures in the match were 4/51 in 8 overs, including the wickets of Brandon King, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, and Shamar Joseph.
The West Indies, despite Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, and Roston Chase all scoring fifties, couldn't build a commanding total. They were eventually bowled out for 252 runs.
In reply, Pakistan's chase had nervous moments, but Hasan Nawaz made a brilliant 63 off 54 balls and Hussain Talat scored 41 off 37 balls to guide the visitors home with five wickets and seven balls to spare.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been particularly effective in ODIs, with 131 scalps in 65 matches at an average of 24.01. His wickets breakdown by format is as follows:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Innings Figures | Five-wicket hauls | |--------|---------|---------|---------------------|-------------------| | Tests | 31 | 116 | 6/51 | 4 (including 1 ten-for match) | | ODIs | 65-64* | 127-131 | 6/35 | 3 five-wicket hauls (8 four-wicket hauls) | | T20Is | 79 | 102 | 4/22 | 0 |
(*His 131 wickets in 65 ODIs is a record for the most wickets by any bowler in their first 65 ODIs.)
Shaheen has also impressed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), taking 108 wickets in 75 matches with an economy rate of 7.97 and best innings figures of 5/4, including 2 five-wicket hauls.
Career highlights for Shaheen include becoming the fastest bowler to 131 wickets in ODIs, surpassing records held by Mitchell Starc and Rashid Khan. He also holds the best strike rate (25.4 balls per wicket) in men's ODIs for bowlers with more than 100 wickets among Full Member nations, surpassing Mohammed Shami.
The West Indies will be seeking to level the series in the second match, while Pakistan will aim to consolidate their lead. The series is set to be an exciting contest between two strong teams.
News of Shaheen Shah Afridi's impressive performance in the first ODI against West Indies has been Making Rounds. His bowling figures of 4/51 in the match, including a five-wicket haul, have been a Highlight for Pakistan's career-defining victory. In Sports, Afridi's record-breaking 131 wickets in his first 65 ODIs set a new milestone, surpassing previous records held by Mitchell Starc and Rashid Khan. As history unfolds, both teams, West Indies and Pakistan, are Gearing Up for an Exciting Exchange of Opinions on the Pitch, with the second match promising to be just as Competitive as the first.
