🏏 Shaheen Shah Afridi Breaks Shadab Khan’s Record: Second-Highest T20I Wicket-Taker for Pakistan
🌍 A Historic Moment in Pakistan’s T20I Cricket
Every era of Pakistan cricket has produced legendary bowlers — Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, and Shahid Afridi. In modern times, Shaheen Shah Afridi has carried that legacy forward with fire in his left arm.
On September 16, 2025, during Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super Four clash against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, Shaheen scripted history. By dismissing Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka in his opening spell, Shaheen surpassed Shadab Khan (112 wickets) to become the second-leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in T20 Internationals (T20Is).
With 113 wickets in 90 matches, Shaheen now sits just behind Haris Rauf (128 wickets) on Pakistan’s all-time T20I wicket-takers list.
This blog dives deep into Shaheen’s record, his journey, Pakistan’s legendary bowling tradition, and what this milestone means for Pakistan’s future in T20 cricket.
🏏 Shaheen Afridi’s Record-Breaking Spell vs Sri Lanka
The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash was a must-win for Pakistan. Under pressure, Shaheen struck gold early:
- 1st over – Removed Kusal Mendis, the in-form batter, caught at short mid-wicket.
- 2nd over – Dismissed Pathum Nissanka, caught behind, cementing his milestone.
With those two wickets, Shaheen moved to 113 career T20I wickets, overtaking Shadab Khan’s 112 scalps.
📊 Updated Pakistan T20I Wicket-Takers List
| Player | Wickets | Matches/Inn. | Avg. | SR | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haris Rauf | 128 | 89 | 21.3 | 17.8 | 7.1 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 113 | 90 | 22.5 | 18.2 | 7.4 |
| Shadab Khan | 112 | 104 | 23.8 | 20.3 | 7.1 |
| Shahid Afridi | 97 | 96 | 24.6 | 21.1 | 7.0 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 85 | 60 | 17.8 | 16.5 | 6.5 |
📌 Insight: Shaheen is still only 25 years old, meaning he could easily surpass Haris Rauf in the coming months or years to become Pakistan’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is.
🌟 Shaheen’s Journey in T20Is – From Debut to Record Breaker
🔹 Early Days
Shaheen made his T20I debut in 2018 against West Indies. His tall frame, high release, and ability to swing the new ball immediately drew comparisons with Wasim Akram.
🔹 Breakthrough Years (2019–2021)
- Dominated the 2020 PSL for Lahore Qalandars.
- Became Pakistan’s go-to powerplay bowler.
- Played a vital role in the 2021 T20 World Cup, dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early in the India clash — Pakistan’s famous 10-wicket win.
🔹 Captaincy & Leadership (2022–2024)
- Took over Lahore Qalandars captaincy, winning PSL titles.
- Evolved from a strike bowler to a bowling leader.
- Developed death-bowling skills, mixing yorkers with slower balls.
🔹 2025 – The Record-Breaker
Despite a quiet Asia Cup with only 3 wickets in 4 games before Sri Lanka clash, Shaheen showed why he is world-class — always delivering in big games.
⚡ Shaheen Afridi vs Pakistan’s Bowling Legends
Pakistan has always been known for producing bowling superstars. Let’s compare Shaheen with others:
- Haris Rauf – A death-over specialist, relies on pace and aggression. Shaheen, however, swings the new ball and creates early breakthroughs.
- Shadab Khan – A spinner who thrived with variations but struggled with form in recent years. Shaheen’s pace gives him the edge.
- Shahid Afridi – The “Boom Boom” all-rounder. While Shahid was more of a match-winner with bat and ball, Shaheen is more consistent with the ball.
- Saeed Ajmal – Short but impactful career. Ajmal’s average and economy were better, but Shaheen’s longevity sets him apart.
📌 Conclusion: Shaheen combines the aggression of Wasim, the pace of Waqar, and the consistency of Ajmal, making him Pakistan’s most complete T20 fast bowler of his generation.
📊 Shaheen’s Dual Role – Bowling Spearhead & Batting Finisher
Interestingly, Shaheen’s batting has emerged as a surprise weapon.
- In Asia Cup 2025, he scored 64 runs in 3 innings at a strike rate of 206.45.
- Known for his fearless six-hitting, Shaheen has turned into a handy lower-order hitter, giving Pakistan depth at No. 8 or 9.
This dual ability enhances his value in T20 cricket, where versatility is key.
🧐 Cricketory Insights – Why Shaheen’s Record Matters
- Psychological Edge – Surpassing Shadab shows Shaheen’s dominance as Pakistan’s bowling spearhead.
- Young Age Advantage – At just 25, he could set records that may last decades.
- Inspirational Role – Young fast bowlers in Pakistan (like Naseem Shah & Zaman Khan) now look up to Shaheen as a benchmark.
- Pakistan’s T20I Future – With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, Shaheen’s form will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign.
- Consistency in Big Matches – Whether vs India, Australia, or Sri Lanka, Shaheen’s ability to strike early sets the tone.
❓ FAQs – Shaheen Afridi’s T20I Record
Q1: How many T20I wickets does Shaheen Afridi have?
A: Shaheen has 113 wickets in 90 matches, second-most for Pakistan.Q2: Who has the most T20I wickets for Pakistan?
A: Haris Rauf leads with 128 wickets in 89 innings.Q3: How old is Shaheen Afridi?
A: Shaheen is 25 years old (born April 6, 2000).Q4: Can Shaheen Afridi become Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is?
A: Yes, given his age and form, he is well on track to overtake Haris Rauf.Q5: What is Shaheen Afridi’s batting record in T20Is?
A: He has played impactful cameos, most recently scoring 64 runs in Asia Cup 2025 at a strike rate of 206.45.🏆 Conclusion – A Milestone, But More to Come
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rise to second on Pakistan’s T20I wicket-takers list is more than just a statistic. It is a testament to his consistency, skill, and ability to deliver in big games.
From his debut as a teenage prodigy to becoming Pakistan’s pace spearhead, Shaheen’s journey reflects Pakistan cricket’s rich tradition of producing world-class fast bowlers.
With years ahead of him, Shaheen is not just chasing Haris Rauf’s record — he is on course to become one of the greatest T20 bowlers in world cricket. For Pakistan fans, the future looks bright, with Shaheen leading the charge with both ball and bat.