(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Rashid Khan Becomes Highest Wicket-Taker in T20I Cricket
Afghanistan’s superstar spinner Rashid Khan has further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest T20 bowlers of all time. Playing in Sharjah during Afghanistan’s win over the UAE in the ongoing tri-nation series, Rashid delivered a match-winning spell that also saw him enter the record books.
With three wickets on the night, Rashid Khan surpassed New Zealand’s Tim Southee to become the leading wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals.
📊 T20I Bowling Record (as of August 2025):
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Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): 165 wickets in 98 matches, economy 6.07
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Tim Southee (New Zealand): 164 wickets in 126 matches, economy 8.00
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Ish Sodhi (New Zealand): 150 wickets in 126 matches
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Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): 149 wickets in 129 matches
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Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): 142 wickets in 113 matches
At just 26 years old, Rashid also holds the record for the most T20 wickets overall—664 scalps in 489 games across domestic and international cricket. With his consistency and workload, this record could stand for many years.
Pakistan is represented in the top charts through Haris Rauf, who currently sits 11th with 124 wickets in 88 T20Is.
Afghanistan’s Tournament Progress
The milestone came as Afghanistan secured their first win of the tri-nation series, beating hosts UAE by 38 runs. Pakistan remain unbeaten at the top of the table, having already defeated both Afghanistan and the UAE, while the hosts are yet to register a win.
Next up, Rashid Khan and Afghanistan face Pakistan once again tonight in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter under the Sharjah lights.
