- AFP
- 35 Minutes ago

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan ascends to the pinnacle of T20 wicket-taking
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- Web Desk
- Feb 05, 2025

KABUL: the 26-year-old wrist-spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, made history by becoming the all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket.
The Afghan bowler achieved the milestone during a match in the SA20 qualifier against the Paarl Royals, where Rashid diswmissed Dunith Wellalage, elevating his total to 632 wickets in just 460 matches.
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Following the match, Rashid Khan shared his thoughts, stating “this is tremendous achievement. If you had asked me a decade ago whether I would reach this point, I would have never believed it. It fills me with pride to represent Afghanistan and to be recognised at this level”.
The Afghan spinner paid his tributes to Dwayne Bravo, acknowledging him as one of the best bowlers in T20 history. Rashid also expressed his eagerness to maintain his performance.
Rashid made his T2- debut as a teenager in October 2015 and has since become a highly coveted player in different global leagues. He has clinched titles in both, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premiere League (IPL). He is particularly renowned for his tenure with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, where he achieved career-best bowling figures of 6 for 17.
His bowling technique has rendered him a formidable opponent for batters, with Rashid’s strategy revolving around applying relentless pressure. “If a [batter] is targeting me, I will make it exceedingly difficult for him. If he manages to score, it’s a commendable shot. However, I will not relent in creating pressure”.
As the Afghan spinner gained experience across various T20 leagues, his batting prowess also flourished. He is celebrated for his explosive batting style, with his all-round capabilities prominently displayed during the IPL 2018 playoffs, where he scored 34 runs off just ten balls and took three wickets for 19 runs.
Rashid Khan also stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals (T20I), with 161 wickets, trailing only Tim Southee.
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His impressive statistics include an average of 18.08 and an economy rate of 6.49.
He also holds the title of leading wicket-taker among overseas players in the Big Bash League, with 98 wickets.
