Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 5: In a monumental achievement, Afghanistan's star leg-spinner Rashid Khan has etched his name in the history books by becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket. Rashid surpassed the legendary West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo during the first qualifier of the SA20 league between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals. Leading MI Cape Town as captain, Rashid played a pivotal role in guiding his team to the final of the ongoing tournament with a convincing 39-run victory over the Royals.
Rashid needed just one wicket to surpass Bravo’s record, and he achieved the milestone by dismissing Dunith Wellalage in the 10th over of the innings. He went on to finish with impressive bowling figures of 2/33 in his four-over spell, taking his overall T20 wickets tally to a staggering 633 wickets. Speaking after the match, an elated Rashid expressed his pride in reaching such a historic milestone, especially as a cricketer representing Afghanistan on the global stage.
"It's a great achievement. I never thought about it. If you had asked me 10 years ago whether I would reach here, I wouldn’t have believed it," Rashid said while addressing the host broadcaster. "It's a proud feeling to be from Afghanistan and to be at that level where you top the table. DJ [Bravo] is one of the best T20 bowlers. It's a great honour, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey."
Rashid’s consistency and skill have made him one of the most formidable bowlers in the shortest format of the game. His journey from a young spinner in Afghanistan to becoming the top wicket-taker in T20 cricket is an inspiring story of talent, dedication, and hard work.
Among active cricketers, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir, and Shakib Al Hasan are the closest challengers to Rashid’s record. Of these, Narine is the nearest competitor, having claimed 574 wickets in 536 T20 matches. While Narine is expected to continue for a few more years, Rashid’s age and fitness suggest he has many seasons ahead of him, making it highly likely that he will not only extend his record but also potentially reach the remarkable milestone of 1,000 T20 wickets in the future.
Rashid Khan’s achievement marks a proud moment for Afghanistan cricket and serves as an inspiration to young cricketers around the world, showcasing how determination and passion can lead to extraordinary success on the global stage.