Pakistan has always been renowned in world cricket for producing great fast bowling talents since their inception at cricket arena. Long list of fast bowlers started with Khan Mohammad and Fazal Mahmood in Pakistan’s first ever test match and over the period of next 60 years this list of fast bowlers only grew better and better with induction of bowlers like Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir etc etc.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is Pakistan’s new fast bowling sensation who rocked the international cricket stage in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 with his triumphant performance in last few matches he played during Pakistan campaign. 19 year old fast bowler took 16 scalps in 5 outings during ICC Cricket world cup 2019 which is most by a teenage bowler in World Cups.
He already has few records under his belt during is short career:
Youngest bowler to pick 5 Wicket Haul in ICC Cricket World Cup
Shaheen Shah Afridi become the youngest bowler to took 5 wickets haul in ICC cricket world Cups during his spell of 6/35 against Bangladesh. He achieved this feat at an age of 19 years and 90 days. He also became the 8th youngest in One Day Cricket history to have 5 wickets haul in ODI’s under his belt.
Best Bowling Figure by a Pakistani Bowler in World Cup
Shaheen also broke the record of Shahid Afridi who took 5/16 against Kenya in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 during his spell of 6/35 against Bangladesh to have a record of best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler in world cups.
Name at Lords Honors Board
Shaheen also registered his name at Lords Honors Board for ODI’s by taking 5 wicket haul at home of cricket. He followed in the footsteps of his captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and fellow team mate Imam Ul Haq who both scored centuries at Lords for Pakistan.
Pakistani cricketers with name at Lords Honours Boards
Best Strike Rate for a Bowler with 40 or more wickets in ODI’s
Shaheen Shah Afridi currently has best strike rate in ODI’s for a bowler who took 40 or more wickets. Shaheen had strike rate of 23.1 followed by Australia’s injury prone fast bowler Ryan Harris who took 44 wickets at strike rate of 23.4
There are some more records which are in grasp of Shaheen Shah Afridi if he can maintain his current form and fitness for some time.
2nd Fastest to 50 ODI wickets
So far Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 40 ODI wickets in 19 matches. He can become the 2nd fastest in term of matches to take 50 ODI wickets if he can take 10 wickets in next 3 matches. Srilanka’s Ajanta Mendis safely secured the top spot who took 50 ODI wickets in 19 matches followed by India’s Ajit Agrakar who achieve this feat in 23 ODI’s.
5th Youngest to 50 ODI Wickets
Shaheen Shah Afridi can become the 5th youngest bowler to 50 ODI wickets if he can take 10 more wickets in 214 days to beat record of Saqlain Mushtaq who achieve this feat at an age of 19 years and 310 days.
Shaheen Shah Afridi already has a dream start to his career and it can flourish more if he keeps his feet on the ground and PCB handle him wisely otherwise another gem from Pakistan can be lost in wilderness.
