Afghanistan’s premier spinner Rashid Khan achieved a significant milestone in cricket history by surpassing West Indies great Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker in T20 matches.
Rashid accomplished this feat while leading MI Cape Town in their SA20 Qualifier One clash against Paarl Royals at Gqeberha.
The 25-year-old claimed figures of 2 for 34 in four overs, dismissing Dunith Wellalage and Dinesh Karthik to defend a formidable total of 200.
With this performance, Rashid now boasts 633 wickets from 461 matches at an impressive average of 18.07, with best figures of 6 for 17. He has claimed four five-wicket hauls in his career.
In comparison, Bravo, who enjoyed an illustrious 18-year T20 career, picked up 631 wickets at an average of 24.40, with best figures of 5 for 23. His three five-wicket hauls remain a testament to his dominance.
Following Rashid and Bravo on the list are West Indies spinner Sunil Narine (574 wickets), South Africa’s Imran Tahir (531 wickets), and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (492 wickets).
In the match, Paarl Royals won the toss and chose to field. MI Cape Town openers Ryan Rickelton (44 off 27 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (40 off 32 balls) forged a commanding 87-run stand in just 9.2 overs, setting a strong foundation for their total of 199 for 4.
Despite a brief setback that saw Cape Town lose three quick wickets for just six runs, George Linde’s quickfire 26 off 14 balls, laced with three sixes, helped regain momentum.
The Royals’ erratic bowling, including waist-high full tosses, allowed Dewald Brevis (44 not out off 30 balls) and Delano Potgieter (32 not out off 17 balls) to add a blistering 74 runs in the final five overs.
In response, Paarl Royals started aggressively, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Mitchell Owen taking 21 runs off Trent Boult’s opening over. However, Pretorius’s brisk 15-run cameo ended swiftly at the hands of Kagiso Rabada.
With partnerships failing to materialise, only skipper David Miller (45 off 26 balls) and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik (31 off 28 balls) offered resistance. The highlight of the innings came when Rashid Khan clean-bowled Wellalage, earning himself the record for most T20 wickets.
Potgieter was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round efforts.
MI Cape Town have now secured a direct berth in Saturday’s final at the Wanderers, while Paarl Royals will face another challenge in Thursday’s Qualifier Two at Centurion.
