Lahore: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi became the country's fastest pace bowler to claim 150 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) on Sunday, October 25, during the fourth match of the tri series against England at Gaddafi Stadium.
The 26 year old reached the milestone after dismissing England opener Tom Banton early in the innings, becoming the second fastest Pakistani bowler overall to take 150 ODI wickets.
Afridi achieved the landmark in his 80th ODI, placing him behind former Pakistan off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who reached the same figure in 78 matches.
The left arm fast bowler also surpassed former Pakistan pacers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, both of whom required 91 ODIs to reach 150 wickets.
The record places Afridi among Pakistan's leading wicket takers when measured by the number of matches required to reach the 150 wicket mark.
Saqlain Mushtaq remains the fastest Pakistani bowler overall to achieve the milestone, while Afridi now holds the corresponding record among the country's pace bowlers.
Other Pakistani bowlers to have reached 150 ODI wickets include Saeed Ajmal, who achieved the mark in 93 matches, and Umar Gul, who required 104 appearances.
Bowler | Matches to 150 ODI wickets |
|---|---|
Saqlain Mushtaq | 78 |
Shaheen Shah Afridi | 80 |
Waqar Younis | 91 |
Shoaib Akhtar | 91 |
Saeed Ajmal | 93 |
Umar Gul | 104 |
Milestone during England tri series encounter
Afridi reached the landmark while leading Pakistan in the fourth match of the ODI tri series, with England batting first at Gaddafi Stadium. His dismissal of Banton brought up the 150 wicket figure during the opening stages of England's innings.
The achievement adds to Afridi's international record since making his ODI debut in 2018. He has featured regularly in Pakistan's pace attack across bilateral series and international tournaments.
The comparison with Mushtaq, Younis and Akhtar reflects the rate at which Afridi has accumulated wickets in the 50 over format. It does not represent a ranking of their overall careers, which span different periods and playing conditions.
The milestone also comes during a home tri series, giving Pakistan an opportunity to assess its bowling combinations against international opposition in ODI conditions.
