Shaheen Afridi completes 250 international wickets during Asia Cup clash against India | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved a significant milestone by completing 250 international wickets during Pakistan‘s Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals India in Kandy, Sri Lanka on Friday.
The 23-year-old bowler made a remarkable impact, securing four crucial wickets while conceding only 35 runs in his allotted 10 overs. His victims included the star batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, curbing India’s progress when they appeared to be heading for a substantial total.
With 251 wickets in 120 international appearances at an average of 23.81, Shaheen has proven to be a formidable force in the world of cricket. His impressive record includes six five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket haul in international cricket.

In the Test format, he has played 27 matches and claimed 105 wickets at an average of 25.58, boasting a best bowling performance of 6/51. Additionally, he has secured four five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Shaheen’s prowess extends to the one-day internationals (ODIs), with 82 wickets in 41 matches at an average of 25.0, including an exceptional bowling figure of 6/35. He has achieved two five-wicket hauls in ODIs.
In the T20 International arena, with 64 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 22.73 and a best bowling figure of 4/22, Shaheen continues to be a valuable asset for Pakistan’s cricketing success.
Shaheen overall is the 16th-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in international cricket at an age of 23. He is miles away from joining the legends like Wasim Akram (916 wickets), Waqar Younis (789 wickets), Imran Khan (544 wickets), Shahid Afridi (538 wickets) and Saqlain Mushtaq (496 wickets), he is still going towards this direction with each fine performance.

Coming to the match, India elected to bat first and posted 266/10 in 48.5 overs. India struggled to take on the pace duo of Shaheen and Haris Rauf, with Shaheen getting skipper Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4) and Haris getting Shreyas Iyer (14) and Shubman Gill (10). India was reduced to 66/4.
Then a 138-run partnership between Ishan Kishan (82 in 81 balls, with nine fours and two sixes) and Hardik Pandya (87 in 90 balls with seven fours and a six) helped India cross 200 runs.
Then, contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (14) and Jasprit Bumrah (16) helped India cross the 250-run mark.
Shaheen (4/35) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan. Naseem Shah (3/36) and Haris Rauf (3/58) also bowled well for Pakistan.
(With ANI inputs)