Kandy, Sri Lanka – Web Desk: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi set a major T20 record despite Pakistan’s defeat to England in a crucial Super Eight match of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Afridi delivered a standout bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs in his four overs, marking one of his best spells in the tournament. However, his efforts were not enough to secure victory for Pakistan.
England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the Group Two Super Eight clash, securing their place in the semi-finals and significantly denting Pakistan’s qualification hopes.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that backfired as early wickets fell cheaply. Saim Ayub and the captain struggled at the top, while Sahibzada Farhan played a responsible knock, scoring 63 runs with seven boundaries and two sixes. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman added 25 runs each, while Shadab Khan contributed 23.
England captain Harry Brook played a match-winning century to guide his side to the 165-run target in the final over. Despite Afridi’s early breakthrough, Pakistan’s other bowlers failed to maintain pressure, and tactical lapses allowed England to chase the target successfully.
With his four-wicket haul, Afridi became Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, surpassing Haris Rauf. Afridi now has 135 wickets in 102 matches, followed by Rauf with 133 wickets in 94 matches and Shadab Khan with 114 wickets in 123 games. Former captain Shahid Afridi is fourth with 96 wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz has 91.
Globally, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan remains the leading T20 wicket-taker with 193 wickets in 115 matches, followed by New Zealand’s Tim Southee with 164 wickets in 126 matches. No Pakistani bowler currently features in the world’s top 10 T20 wicket-takers list.
In the same match, Shadab Khan and Salman Mirza also set a Pakistan record for the highest ninth-wicket partnership in T20 World Cup history with a 15-run stand, surpassing the previous record of 13 runs held by Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul.
