The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 series will start in Harare on Wednesday, December 11.

As per the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 schedule, the upcoming three-match series will be played at the Harare Sports Club on December 11, 13 and 14.

Afghanistan are currently placed 10th in the ICC men’s T20I team rankings while Zimbabwe are two spots below on 12th.

Ahead of the T20I series, the Afghanistan national cricket team has announced their T20I squad to be led by bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan.

Young batting all-rounder Zubaid Akbari has received his maiden T20I call-up after guiding Afghanistan to the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup 2024 title in October.

Right-arm off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been included in the T20I squad after recovering from his right phalanx sprain.

After an impressive domestic season, top-order batter Darwish Rasooli has made a comeback to the T20I set-up.

However, the visitors will miss the services of their star opener Ibrahim Zadran who is yet to recover from his ankle injury.

Afghanistan will feature in their first T20I series since reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. 

On the other hand, the Zimbabwe national cricket team will aim to bounce back after suffering a 1-2 T20I series defeat against Pakistan last week.

Under the leadership of Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe lost the opening two T20I but won the final T20I by two wickets.

Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa and Tinotenda Maposa are some of the young faces who will aim to showcase their talent at the international level.

Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Joylord Gumbie are a few notable omissions from the T20I squad.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 head-to-head

The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 head-to-head favours the latter. Afghanistan have won 14 of the 15 T20Is that they have played against each other. Zimbabwe have registered just a solitary victory so far.

The last time these two sides met, Afghanistan thrashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a three-match T20I series in Harare in June 2022. 

Where to watch Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 series live in India

Live streaming of the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 series will be available on the FanCode app and website.

There will be no live telecast of the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 series on any TV channel in India.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 schedule and live match start times

All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
Wednesday, December 11	Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I	Harare Sports Club, Harare	5:00 PM
Friday, December 13	Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I	Harare Sports Club, Harare	5:00 PM
Saturday, December 14	Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I	Harare Sports Club, Harare	5:00 PM

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 2024 squads

Zimbabwe T20 squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande (wicket-keeper), Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicket-keeper), Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava

Afghanistan T20 squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Ishaq (wicket-keeper), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Zubaid Akbari, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq

Photo credit: Imago

Throughout the history of the T20 World Cups, we have seen excellent performances from bowlers helping their teams get over the line on various occasions. 

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi and Sam Curran of England were awarded the Player of the Tournament in the 2007 and 2022 editions, respectively, for their excellent bowling performances.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi holds the record for the most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition. He bagged 17 wickets in eight matches in 2024. Interestingly, five of the top 10 list of most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition have come in 2024.

India’s Arshdeep Singh is fourth on the list with 15 wickets from seven matches and just three wickets away from moving to the top. Arshdeep has one last shot at the feat as India meet South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Here is a look at the list of bowlers with most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition. 

Most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition

Rank	Player	Edition	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate	Best Bowling
1	Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)	2024	8	17	9.41	6.31	8.94	5/9
2	Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)	2021	8	16	9.75	5.20	11.25	3/9
3	Ajantha Mendis (SL)	2012	6	15	9.80	6.12	9.60	6/8
4	Arshdeep Singh (IND)	2024	7	15	13.00	7.50	10.40	4/9
5	Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)	2022	8	15	13.26	6.41	12.40	3/8
6	Rashid Khan (AFG)	2024	8	14	12.78	6.17	12.42	4/17
7	Dirk Nannes (AUS)	2010	7	14	13.07	7.03	11.14	4/18
8	Rishad Hossain (BAN)	2024	7	14	13.85	7.76	10.71	3/22
9	Jasprit Bumrah (IND)	2024	7	13	8.15	4.12	11.84	3/7
10	Sam Curran (ENG)	2022	6	13	11.38	6.52	10.46	5/10

Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) - 17 wickets in 2024

Fazalhaq Farooqi leads the chart for the bowlers with the most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition. The left-arm pacer has taken 17 wickets from eight matches for Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America. 

Fazal was one of the main architects of Afghanistan’s best showing in an ICC World Cup helping his side storm into the semi-finals of the showpiece event in 2024. He averaged just 9.41 runs per wicket with an unbelievable strike rate of 8.94, which means a wicket every nine balls.

Fazal started the T20 World Cup 2024 with a bang, picking up a five-wicket haul in Afghanistan's first match against Uganda in Guyana. He registered his career-best T20I figures with an impressive 5/9 in four overs as Afghanistan thrashed Uganda by 125 runs. 

The pacer showed no signs of slowing down as he picked up a match-winning 4/17 against New Zealand to power Afghanistan to a historic 84-run win over the Kiwis. He also registered a three-wicket haul against India in Afghanistan’s Super 8 contest.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 16 wickets in 2021

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga is second on the list of most wickets in a T20 World Cup edition with 16 wickets from eight matches in the 2021 edition held in Oman and United Arab Emirates. He averaged just 9.75 runs per wicket at a miserly economy of 5.20.

Hasaranga picked up his best figures of 3/9 in three overs as the Lankans skittled out Netherlands for 44 in their first-round match in Sharjah. Sri Lanka pocketed the contest by eight wickets and progressed to the next round. 

Throughout the World Cup Hasaranga proved to be a threat picking up a wicket every two overs for Sri Lanka. The leg-spinner was also the highest wicket-taker in the next edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022 with 15 wickets from eight matches.

Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) - 15 wickets in 2012

Ajantha Mendis was one of the pillars in Sri Lanka’s run till the finals of the T20 World Cup 2012 held in their backyard, which is still the best run by any home team in the T20 World Cup. 

Mendis tallied a total of 15 wickets from just six matches at an average of 9.80 and an excellent strike rate of 9.60. Batters found it hard to pick his mystery spin as he finished the competition with an economy of just 6.12.

Mendis provided a cue to other teams of what was in store by bowling an unbelievable spell against Zimbabwe in the first match of the T20 World Cup at Hambantota. His 6/8 off four overs is still the best bowling figures recorded by any bowler in a T20 World Cup match. Sri Lanka thrashed Zimbabwe by 82 runs to start their campaign in style.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is arguably one of the world's finest cricket grounds located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Established in 2004, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium was built by South African construction company Concor for $23 million.

With a seating capacity of around 20,000, the Abu Dhabi cricket stadium has a large stand at either end, with the areas square of the wicket offering large grass banking for additional seating.

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium staged its first international cricket match, a one-day international (ODI) played between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in April 2006. Pakistan won the match by six wickets.

Four years later, it later hosted its first T20 international played between Afghanistan and Scotland during an ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in February 2010.

Few months later, it hosted its first Test match that involved Pakistan and South Africa. The match ended in a draw. Since then, it has staged 15 Tests at this venue in men’s cricket. 

Let’s have a look at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Test records and stats:

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Test records and stats

Highest total

The England cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Test cricket. During the first Test of England’s tour of the United Arab Emirates in 2015, the Alastair Cook-led visitors posted a huge total of 598/9d in their first innings against Pakistan. Captain Alastair Cook led from the front as he slammed 263, along with contributions from Joe Root (85), Ian Bell (63) and Ben Stokes (57) to help England register a record Test total at the venue. Earlier, Pakistan scored 523/8d in their first innings before they were bundled out for 173 in their second innings. The Abu Dhabi Test later ended in a draw.

Lowest total

England registered the lowest total at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Tests. Chasing 145 in the fourth innings, England were skittled out for 72 in 36.1 overs by Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2012. Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman was the wrecker-in-chief for Pakistan as he picked up six wickets for 25 runs. For England, captain Andrew Strauss top-scored with 32. Earlier, Pakistan managed 257 in their first innings before bowling out England for 327. Pakistan scored 214 in their second innings to set-up a target of 145. Pakistan won the Test by 72 runs and later clinched the three-match series 3-0.

Most runs

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. The right-handed batter has accumulated 1,086 runs in 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 57.15. Azhar Ali has also slammed three hundreds and eight fifties at this venue in Test cricket. His former teammate Misbah-ul-Haq is second on the list with 994 runs in nine Test matches at a staggering average of 99.40.

Most wickets

Former Pakistan cricketer Yasir Shah picked up the most wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Test cricket. Between 2014 and 2018, the leg-spinner bagged 46 wickets in seven matches at an average of 23.54. He claimed two four-wicket hauls and three fifers at this venue in Tests. Compatriot Zulfiqar Babar features second on the list with 22 wickets in five Tests.

Highest individual score

AB de Villiers registered the highest individual score at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Tests. Batting at number five, the former South African batter scored 278 not out against Pakistan in the first innings of the second Test in November 2010. His magnificent double century was laced with 23 fours and six maximums to help South Africa post a huge total of 584/9d . The match later ended in a draw.

Best bowling figures in an innings

Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in 2021. The star leg-spinner registered brilliant figures of 7/137 to help bowl out Zimbabwe for 365 in their second innings. Rashid Khan dismissed Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano and Victor Nyauchi. Afghanistan rode on Rashid’s sensational bowling performance to win the Test by six wickets. 

Best bowling figures in a match

Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The former left-arm spinner took 11 wickets during the first Test of Pakistan’s tour of the United Arab Emirates in 2017. While Herath took five wickets for 93 runs in the first innings, he scalped another six wickets for just 43 runs in the second innings. Herath’s incredible bowling performance powered Sri Lanka to a 21-run victory in Abu Dhabi. Rashid Khan also scalped 11 wickets against Zimbabwe in March 2021.

Highest partnership

Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi and former captain Asghar Afghan recorded the highest partnership at this ground in Test cricket. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan forged a massive 307-run stand for the fourth wicket in their first innings of the second Test against Zimbabwe in 2021. Shahidi scored unbeaten 200 while Afghan was dismissed for 164. Afghanistan won the Abu Dhabi Test by six wickets. 

Photo credit: Alamy

Netherlands' Bas de Leede holds the unwanted record for registering the most expensive spell in ODI cricket. The Dutch all-rounder unwittingly created this record in the 24th match of the 2023 World Cup in India.

Up against an Australian team that won the toss and decided to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, all the Dutch bowlers were on the receiving end of some punishment as David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, in particular, were in belligerent form and took the Netherlands' bowlers to the cleaners.

Among the Dutch bowlers, it was Bas de Leede who suffered the most as he finished 10-0-115-2 - which is the most expensive spell in ODI history. Australia went on to post 399/8 on the scoreboard en route to an easy win.

Former Australia cricketer Mick Lewis recorded the second-most expensive bowling spell in ODI cricket. 

During the fifth one-day international between hosts South Africa and Australia in  Johannesburg in 2006, fast bowler Mick Lewis gave away 113 runs in his quota of 10 overs without taking a single wicket. Mick Lewis�figures of 10-0-113-0 is the second-most expensive bowling spell in ODI cricket history.

Electing to bat first, Australia rode on captain Ricky Ponting’s 164 off just 105 balls and Michael Hussey’s 51-ball 81 to post a mammoth score of 434/4 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, Herschelle Gibbs smashed 175 off just 111 balls and captain Graeme Smith scored 55-ball 90 to help the hosts chase down the total in 49.5 overs.

Following his miserable bowling spell, Lewis was dropped from the Australian squad and his central contract was also not renewed.

Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan are third and fourth respectively on the list.

Wahab Riaz conceded 110 runs in his quota of 10 overs without picking a single wicket against England in an ODI in Nottingham in 2016. During the third ODI of Pakistan’s tour of England and Ireland, England rode on opener Alex Hales�171-run knock off just 122 balls, followed by Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 90 off 51 balls to post 444/3 in their 50 overs. In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 275 as the hosts secured a massive 169-run victory.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan also gave away 110 runs in his nine overs against England in Manchester in 2019. Rashid also failed to scalp a single wicket in his most expensive spell in ODI cricket.

England posted 397/6 in their 50 overs courtesy of captain Eoin Morgan’s 71-ball 148 and Joe Root’s 88 off 82 balls. In reply, Afghanistan could only manage to score 247/8 in their allotted 50 overs. England won the match by 150 runs.

Netherland leg-spinner Philippe Boissevain is fifth on the list of most expensive bowling spells in ODI cricket. 

Boissevain recorded figures of 10-0-108-0 against England in the first ODI of their three-match series in Amstelveen.

Phil Salt (122), Dawid Malan (125), wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 70-ball 162 and Liam Livingstone’s 66 not out off just 22 balls powered England to 498/4 in their 50 overs, recording the highest total in ODI cricket history. In reply, the Netherlands were bowled out for 266 as the visitors secured a massive 232-run victory.

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only Indian to feature in this list of most expensive spells in ODIs.

During the fifth ODI of South Africa’s tour of India, Bhuvneshwar conceded 106 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He, however, dismissed South Africa captain Ab de Villers in the match.

South Africa rode on centuries from Quinton de Kock (109), Faf du Plessis (133) and Ab de Villers (119) to post a mammoth score of 438/4 in their 50 overs. India were bundled out for just 224 as the visitors won the series 3-2. It was South Africa's first-ever bilateral series win in India.

Most expensive bowling spells in ODI cricket

Player	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Team	Opposition	Ground	Year
Bas de Leede	10	115	2	Netherlands	Australia	Delhi	2023
Mick Lewis	10	113	0	Australia	South Africa	Johannesburg	2006
Wahab Riaz	10	110	0	Pakistan	England	Nottingham	2016
Rashid Khan	9	110	0	Afghanistan	England	Manchester	2019
Philippe Boissevain	10	108	0	Netherlands	England	Amstelveen	2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	10	106	1	India	South Africa	Wankhede	2015
Nuwan Pradeep	10	106	0	Sri Lanka	India	Mohali	2017
Martin Snedden	12	105	2	New Zealand	England	The Oval	1983
Tim Southee	10	105	0	New Zealand	India	Christchurch	2009
Brian Vitori	9	105	1	Zimbabwe	New Zealand	Napier	2012
Jason Holder	10	104	1	West Indies	South Africa	Sydney	2015

Featured photo: Alamy

After winning the one-off Test by a massive 546 runs, the Bangladesh cricket team will host Afghanistan in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series starting on Wednesday, July 5.

All the three matches will be day-night ODIs and will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Bangladesh will be captained by Tamim Iqbal, while veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has also returned to the ODI squad after missing the only Test against Afghanistan due to a finger injury that he sustained during the Ireland series earlier in May.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan cricket team has also announced their ODI squad to be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi.

The visitors have also received a massive boost with the return of Rashid Khan for the three-match ODI series. The star all-rounder was earlier rested for the one-off Test against Bangladesh.

Young Afghan leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed has received his maiden ODI call-up after his impressive showing in the Big Bash League 2022-23.

The likes of Zia-ur-Rehman, Wafadar Momand, Sayed Shirzad, Shahidullah and Mohammad Saleem have also been added to the Afghanistan ODI squad.

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI head-to-head

Bangladesh have a superior head-to-head record against Afghanistan in ODI cricket, winning seven of the 11 matches so far. Afghanistan have registered four victories.

However, Afghanistan have a decent record against the hosts on Bangladesh soil, winning three of the seven ODIs so far.

Where to watch Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 live in India?

Live streaming of the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 will be available on the FanCode app and website.

There will be no live telecast of the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 on any TV channel in India.

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 schedule and live India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
Wednesday, July 5	Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI	Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram	1:30 PM
Saturday, July 8	Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI	Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram	1:30 PM
Tuesday, July 11	Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI	Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram	1:30 PM

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODIs 2023 squads

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Afif Hossain, Ebadot Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wafadar Momand, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Rahman, Riaz Hassan, Izharulhaq Naveed, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Saleem, Shahidullah, Sayed Shirzad, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Zia-ur-Rehman

Photo credit: Alamy

Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for most dot balls bowled in T20I cricket.

The spinner has bowled a record 922 dot balls in 106 innings while maintaining an economy rate of 6.82.

Shakib, who has the second-most wickets in T20I cricket history, is ahead of Tim Southee, who is second on this list for most dots bowled in T20 Internationals. The New Zealand pacer has bowled 907 dot balls in the 102 innings.

Southee has also bowled the second-highest number of dot balls inside powerplay overs in T20 Internationals with 434 dot balls in 80 innings where he bowled in the opening six overs of a 20-over game.

India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar is third on the list of most dot balls bowled in T20Is. The pacer has bowled 863 dot balls in 83 innings.

Furthermore, Bhuvneshwar is the first and only bowler to have bowled 500 dot balls inside powerplay overs. Speaking of most dots bowled in powerplay overs in a T20I fixture, Bhuvi (IND vs WI, 2014) was the second to register 16 dot balls in his spell during the first six overs of a 20-over game after South Africa’s Lonwabo Tsotsobe (PAK vs SA, 2013).

As far as most dot balls bowled in a T20I innings is concerned, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s best performance with the ball came against UAE in 2016, where he bowled 20 dot balls. 

He shares the Indian record for most dot balls bowled in a T20I innings with Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled 20 dot deliveries against Sri Lanka in 2016.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi follows Bhuvneshwar on this list. Afridi’s economy rate of 6.63 is the best among the top five bowlers who have bowled the most dot balls in T20I cricket. The spinner is fourth with 830 dot balls in 97 innings.

Lasith Malinga completes the top five list of bowlers with the most dot balls bowled in T20I cricket. The Sri Lankan legend bid adieu to cricket in 2021 and bowled 713 dot balls in 83 innings in his T20I career.

Most dot balls bowled in T20I cricket

Player	Country	Innings	Dot Balls
Shakib Al Hasan	Bangladesh	106	922
Tim Southee	New Zealand	102	907
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	India	83	863
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	97	830
Lasith Malinga	Sri Lanka	83	713
Mohammad Nabi	Afghanistan	97	702
Mustafizur Rahman	Bangladesh	77	701
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	74	688
Shadab Khan	Pakistan	78	664
Adil Rashid	England	86	636

 

Featured photo: AFP / RANDY BROOKS

With cricket becoming more and more competitive every passing year, players hitting milestones, big or small, have become a cause for celebration.

Mohammed Shami recently celebrated one such milestone, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in ODI cricket during the first India vs England ODI at the Kennington Oval.

Shami took 80 matches to reach the mark, handily beating Ajit Agarkar’s previous record of 97 matches which stood strong since 2002.

The Indian pacer, however, isn’t the fastest bowler to 150 ODI wickets in international cricket. The record belongs to Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, who beat Shami to the 150-wicket milestone by three matches.

Here’s a list of bowlers, not just among the Men in Blue, who have raced to the 150-wicket milestone in record time.

Mitchell Starc - 77 matches

Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s most effective and feared pacers, holds the record of being the fastest bowler to 150 wickets. The 6 foot 4 bowler touched the 150-wicket mark in the fifty over format of the game in just 77 matches. 

Starc brought up this milestone in June 2019 during the ICC World Cup in a match against the West Indies. He took five crucial wickets, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Craig Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Sheldon Cottrell, and helped Australia to an impressive 15-run win in the match. 

Saqlain Mushtaq - 78 matches

Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took just 78 matches to reach 150 ODI wickets, and held this record from 1998 to 2019 before Starc overtook him. 

Mushtaq breached the 150-wicket mark in the second final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup between India, Bangladesh and Pakistan at Dhaka. The match was played against India, and Mushtaq finished with a haul of 3/36 in 9.5 overs. He retired with 288 ODI wickets to his kitty. 

Rashid Khan - 80 matches

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan took 80 matches to claim 150 One Day International wickets. He touched this mark in February 2022 in a match against Bangladesh at Chattogram. 

Khan finished with impressive bowling figures of 10-0-37-3 in the game, claiming the wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali and Taskin Ahmed. 

Mohammed Shami - 80 matches

Mohammed Shami made his way into the list in July 2022 during the first of the three ODIs of a India vs England bilateral series played in the UK.

In the game at The Oval, Shami finished with figures of 7-0-31-3, claiming the wickets of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Craig Overton. India won the game by 10 wickets. With this, he became the fastest Indian to 150 ODI wickets.

The Indian, however, did take the most amount of time, in terms of number of years, to reach the milestone among the top five. Shami being in and out of the national team over the years due to various reasons is the underlying cause for the delay.  

Trent Boult - 81 matches

Kiwi pacer Trent Boult comes next on this list, taking 81 matches to notch up 150 ODI wickets. Like Starc, he too etched his name among the fastest to 150 ODI wickets during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. 

Boult finished with numbers 2/44 in a game where New Zealand registered a two-wicket win against Bangladesh at The Oval during the group stage. 

Quickest to 150 wickets in ODIs

NameÂ	Country	No. of matches	Time (Years)
Mitchell Starc	Australia	77	8y 229d
Saqlain Mushtaq	Pakistan	78	2y 109d
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	80	6y 133d
Mohammed Shami	India	80	9y 187d
Trent Boult	New Zealand	81	6y 329d

Author: Varsha Badrinath

Featured photo: AFP / SHAUN BOTTERILL

Hyderabad will lock horns with in-form Gujarat in another fascinating Indian T20 League 2022 encounter at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday, April 11.

Led by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, Hyderabad head into the Gujarat clash after securing an eight-wicket win over reigning champions Chennai on Saturday. The 2016 Indian T20 League winners have made a disappointing start to the new season, suffering defeats against Lucknow and Rajasthan in their first two matches. The Hyderabad-based franchise are currently placed eighth in the Indian T20 League 2022 standings with two points from three matches.

Debutants Gujarat, on the other hand, have made an impressive start to their maiden Indian T20 League campaign, winning all of their three matches so far. The Hardik Pandya-led outfit is currently the only unbeaten side in the Indian T20 League 2022, having beaten Punjab, Delhi and Lucknow so far. With six points from three matches, Gujarat are currently placed second in the standings and trail table-toppers Kolkata on net run rate.

Hyderabad and Gujarat will go head-to-head for the first time in the Indian T20 League on Monday.

On that note, let’s have a look at the key player battles that could decide the outcome of the match.

Hyderabad vs Gujarat key player battles

Kane Williamson vs Mohammed Shami

India cricket team fast bowler Mohammed Shami has troubled New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in the Indian T20 League. The right-arm pacer has dismissed Williamson three times in the high-profile T20 league, while conceding just 29 runs to the Kiwi in five innings. 

While Williamson has amassed 1935 runs in 66 Indian T20 League matches at an average of 38.70, Shami has picked 85 wickets in 80 matches at an economy of 8.59. The battle between Williamson and Shami will be a key contest in the upcoming Indian T20 League 2022 clash on Monday.

Kane Williamson record vs Mohammed Shami
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
5	29	24	3	120.83

Nicholas Pooran vs Rashid Khan

While West Indian wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran has been a decent performer with the bat in the Indian T20 League, former Hyderabad leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been nothing short of a revelation with the ball. Pooran has scored 645 runs in 36 Indian T20 League matches at an average of 22.24. On the other hand, Afghanistan spin sensation Rashid has bagged 98 wickets in 79 Indian T20 League matches.

Furthermore, Rashid has had an upper hand against Pooran in the Indian T20 League, giving away just eight runs in four innings that he has bowled to the West Indian. The Afghan has also dismissed Pooran once.

Rashid will be eager to produce another match-winning spell against his former side on Monday.

Nicholas Pooran record vs Rashid Khan
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
4	8	16	1	50

Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs David Miller

South Africa middle-order batsman David Miller has dominated India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian T20 League. The former Punjab batter has scored 43 runs off the 24 Bhuvneshwar Kumar deliveries he has faced in five Indian T20 League innings at an impressive strike rate of 179.16. However, the India international has managed to bag David Miller’s wicket once in the Indian T20 League.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar record vs David Miller
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
5	43	24	1	179.16

Having picked just nine wickets in the previous two editions of the Indian T20 League, Bhuvneshwar will look to put on a better show against Gujarat on Monday.

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Rashid Khan is the current record holder for fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs.

The Afghanistan spinner achieved the feat in his 44th career match, that came against West Indies in March 2018. Rashid dismissed Shai Hope for 38 off the final ball of his second over to beat the previous record by eight matches.

Australia’s Mitchell Starc is the second bowler to be fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs. The 32-year-old, who played his last ODI match in 2021, took 52 matches to reach triple figures in the 50-overs format in 2016 and would hold the record for two years until Rashid would break the record.

Saqlain Mushtaq held the title of the spinner with the fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs record for over 21 years, having taken his 100th scalp in just 53 games. As a matter of fact, the Pakistan legend is the quickest to 100 ODI wickets in terms of time taken - one year and 225 days.

New Zealand’s Shane Bond and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman complete the top-five list of players who are the fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs. Both took 54 games to breach the triple-figure mark, with Bond being the earlier of the two.

Among Indian bowlers, Mohammed Shami is the fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs. One of India’s most successful pacers of all time, Shami grabbed his 100th wicket in his 56th career match in 2019 against New Zealand.

Bowling his first over of the contest, Shami dismissed Kiwi opener Martin Guptill for five runs and broke the previous Indian record that Irfan Pathan (59 matches) set in a 2006 India vs Pakistan game at Abu Dhabi.

Fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs

Player	Opponent	Matches taken	Year
Rashid Khan	West Indies	44	2018
Mitchell Starc	Sri Lanka	52	2016
Saqlain Mushtaq	Sri Lanka	53	1997
Shane Bond	England	54	2007
Mustafizur Rahman	Pakistan	54	2019

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / ISHARA S. KODIKARA

Debutants Gujarat and Lucknow will lock horns in another enthralling Indian T20 League 2022 encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, March 28. 

Gujarat and Lucknow are the two new franchises who joined the high-profile T20 League, making it a 10-team affair for the first time since 2011.

While India all-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead Gujarat, Lucknow will be captained by KL Rahul.

The two sides will play their first match in the Indian T20 League on Monday. 

Ahead of the first meeting between newcomers Gujarat and Lucknow, we look at a few key battles between the players from the two sides, which could decide the outcome of the Indian T20 League match.

Gujarat vs Lucknow key player battles

Rashid Khan vs KL Rahul 

While KL Rahul has been in impressive form in the previous few editions of the Indian T20 League, he has somewhat struggled against Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan leg-spinner has dismissed KL Rahul thrice in five innings in the Indian T20 League.

Interestingly, Rahul has been dominant against pacers but has found it challenging when facing spinners on the spin-friendly Indian pitches. Apart from being dismissed three times, Rahul has scored just 18 runs in 30 balls that he has faced against Rashid.  

KL Rahul record vs Rashid Khan
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
5	18	30	3	60

Hardik Pandya vs Andrew Tye

Swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has struggled against Australia fast bowler Andrew Tye in the Indian T20 League. Pandya, who usually likes pace on the ball, has failed to pick the slower deliveries of Andrew Tye in the death overs. The Australia pacer has dismissed Hardik twice in four innings in the Indian T20 League. The India all-rounder has managed 27 runs in 22 balls at a strike rate of 122.72.

Hardik Pandya record vs Andrew Tye
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
4	27	22	2	122.72

David Miller vs Avesh Khan

South Africa batter David Miller has dominated India pacer Avesh Khan in the Indian T20 League. Miller has smashed 37 runs off just 20 balls against Avesh at an impressive strike rate of 185 while being dismissed once. The Proteas batter has amassed 1974 runs in 88 Indian T20 League matches, including a century against Bangalore.

On the other hand, Avesh finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Indian T20 League 2021, picking 24 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.38. We can certainly expect an intriguing battle between the two on Monday. 

David Miller record vs Avesh Khan
Innings	Runs scored	Balls faced	Dismissed	SR
4	37	20	1	185

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