Shaheen Shah Afridi, a left-arm pacer representing Pakistan, matched the record held by the legendary cricketer Wasim Akram for the most wickets taken by Pakistan in a single World Cup edition.
Shaheen Shah Afridi matches Akram’s World Cup record
The famous, Shaheen has taken two wickets in the ongoing match against England on Saturday, bringing his total for the 2023 World Cup to 18, which is identical to the 18 wickets taken by Wasim Akram in 1992.
Shaheen also set a record for the fastest fast-bowler to take 100 wickets in one-day internationals (ODI) on October 31, 2023, against Bangladesh in an ICC Men’s World Cup match. This accomplishment follows his other milestone. The left-handed bowler surpassed Mitchell Starc of Australia, who amassed the same number of wickets in 52 matches, by accomplishing the feat in 51 matches.
In addition, he surpassed Saqlain Mushtaq as the quickest Pakistani bowler to accumulate 100 wickets, accomplishing the feat in 53 matches. In the preceding instances, Sandeep Lamichhane of Nepal amassed 100 wickets in 42 appearances, whereas Rashid Khan of Afghanistan accomplished the feat in 44 matches.
Shaheen is also tied with former spinner Shahid Afridi for the second-most wickets taken by Pakistan during a World Cup in 2011. Afridi amassed 21 wickets. To date, he has taken 104 wickets in One Day Internationals at an average of 23.94; 42 of those wickets came in 2023 alone at an average of 24.04.
