Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has broken the record for the most wickets taken by a Pakistani bowler against South Africa in international cricket.
Afridi surpassed the previous record of 48 wickets held by the legendary Wasim Akram after claiming four wickets in the second ODI against Proteas, reaching the 50-wicket mark in just 27 innings.
Before the start of the current series, Afridi needed only four more wickets to eclipse Akram’s record. Going into the first ODI, Afridi had already taken 45 wickets in 25 innings against South Africa.
With South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller building a strong partnership for the fifth wicket while chasing Pakistan’s mammoth target of 330, Afridi delivered a brilliant spell, claiming four wickets.
He first dismissed Miller by catching him behind the stumps with a delivery. He then bowled Marco Jansen with a toe-crushing delivery, sending the stumps flying. Finally, Afridi trapped Andile Phehlukwayo in front of the stumps, and soon after he caught behind Kwena Maphaka.
His achievement places him among Pakistan’s most successful bowlers against South Africa, with Waqar Younis leading the list with 82 wickets in 43 innings, followed by Saeed Ajmal with 65 wickets in 36 innings.
|
Bowler |
Innings |
Wickets |
|
Waqar Younis Saeed Ajmal Shaheen Afridi Wasim Akram |
43 36 27 31 |
82 65 50 48 |