On October 31, 2023, Shaheen Afridi became the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He achieved this feat in his 51st ODI match, against Bangladesh in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Afridi broke the previous record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, who had reached the milestone in 53 matches.
Afridi’s achievement is even more remarkable considering that he is a fast bowler. Fast bowlers typically take more time to reach 100 ODI wickets than spinners, as they are more prone to injury and have to deal with the wear and tear of bowling at high speeds. However, Afridi has been remarkably durable throughout his career, and his bowling speed and accuracy have made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world.
Afridi’s rise to the top has been meteoric. He made his ODI debut in 2018, and within a few years, he had established himself as one of the leading bowlers in the world. He is a key member of the Pakistan team in all three formats of the game, and he is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers of his generation.
Afridi’s achievement is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. He is an inspiration to young bowlers all over the world, and he is sure to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.
Fastest Pakistan bowler to 100 ODI wickets
| Name | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 51 | 100 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | 53 | 100 |
| Wasim Akram | 62 | 100 |
| Waqar Younis | 64 | 100 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 73 | 100 |
