In a thrilling performance against Australia at Adelaide Oval, Pakistan’s pace sensation Haris Rauf achieved a significant career milestone, becoming Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker after 39 ODIs. The right-arm pacer, known for his fiery pace and precision, took a superb five-wicket haul in the second ODI of the three-match series on Friday, surpassing renowned bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq.
Haris’s impressive achievement saw him notch a total of 77 ODI wickets, eclipsing the 76-wicket records of both Shaheen and Saqlain, who reached that tally in the same number of matches. This places Haris at the top for Pakistan bowlers in terms of wickets after 39 games, showcasing his rapid rise in international cricket since his debut on October 30, 2020. Moreover, among all fast bowlers from full member nations, Haris holds the highest wicket count during this period, with only Oman’s Bilal Khan slightly ahead with 83 wickets.
Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan also reached an important landmark in the match, equalling the record for most catches by a wicket-keeper in a single ODI game. Rizwan secured six catches behind the stumps, joining the ranks of Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher, Quinton de Kock, Alec Stewart, Matt Prior, Matthew Cross, and fellow Pakistani Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Rizwan almost made history by surpassing this record when Australia’s Adam Zampa edged a ball toward short third man in the 34th over, but he narrowly missed the opportunity, spilling a relatively simple catch.
The performances of Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan in this ODI series reflect the strength and skill they bring to Pakistan’s side, inspiring fans and lifting Pakistan’s prospects in the ongoing series.
