Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has reached a significant milestone in his career by taking a total of 100 Test wickets. He becomes the 19th player from Pakistan to achieve this impressive feat. Shaheen achieved this memorable moment during Pakistan’s match against Sri Lanka in Galle, where he dismissed Nishan Madushka in the second over of the first Test.
Shaheen’s accomplishment is even more remarkable considering his journey back to Test cricket after a year-long break due to a knee injury. He made his long-awaited comeback during the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, marking the start of the action-packed 2023-24 international cricket season for the Pakistani team. Shaheen expressed his excitement about returning to Test cricket in the same country where he suffered his injury, highlighting the significance of the moment for him.
The nature of Shaheen’s injury required a gradual and systematic return, and he had not played a first-class match since the incident in Galle. However, he gradually regained his form and made his international return during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. Unfortunately, he faced another setback when he twisted his knee during the final match, causing him to miss important series against England and New Zealand.
Nevertheless, Shaheen’s resilience and determination prevailed. He successfully came back by playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, where he played a crucial role in helping his team retain the title. During this time, he also showcased his batting skills with a notable innings of 44 not out off just 15 balls in the PSL final.
With 99 wickets before reaching this milestone, Shaheen has been an exceptional performer in Test cricket, achieving remarkable statistics in a relatively short span of 25 matches, with an average of 24.86. He has also recorded impressive figures of four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul in a match.
Shaheen’s achievement of 100 Test wickets not only demonstrates his talent and skill as a bowler but also signifies his contribution to the Pakistani cricket team. Despite primarily being a bowler, he has shown his ability to make an impact with the bat, adding another dimension to his game. Congratulations to Shaheen Shah Afridi on this remarkable milestone, and here’s to many more successes in his cricketing career.
